Ecuador’s Presidential Election Heads to Run-Off After ‘Technical Tie’

Ecuador’s presidential election is set for a second round after a highly competitive first round failed to deliver a clear winner.

Electoral authorities declared the result a “technical tie” after centre-right incumbent Daniel Noboa and left-wing challenger Luisa González received almost identical vote shares. The two candidates will now face off in a run-off election scheduled for April.

The outcome was much closer than pre-election polls had predicted, suggesting that the second round could be too close to call. The tight race also deflated the expectations of Noboa’s supporters, who had been hopeful of a victory after early exit polls suggested he could secure an outright win.

Supporters of Noboa gathered in Quito, waving flags and wearing T-shirts emblazoned with his image. Life-size cardboard cut-outs of the president, depicting him in various outfits from suits to tank tops and sunglasses, have become a common sight throughout Ecuador, decorating front doors, windows, and even car roofs.

Noboa’s presidency has been marked by a focus on addressing rampant gang violence. He introduced emergency measures to deploy the military to combat escalating crime in the streets and prisons. Many of his supporters, including Fernanda Iza, are hopeful that he will be able to continue these security measures with a new mandate.

“He has helped us a lot, especially when gang violence was so severe that we couldn’t even go outside,” said Iza, 45. “The military presence he’s introduced is already making a difference. There are still many issues to solve, but I hope he continues his plan.”

Juan Diego Escobar, 16, expressed optimism about Noboa’s prospects in the run-off. “I think most people who voted for other candidates will support Noboa in the second round,” he said. “He handles insecurity well, and crime is under control. I believe he will also improve the economy.”

Despite some progress, including the capture of major gang leaders and a slight reduction in prison violence, violent crime remains a serious issue. Although violent deaths decreased in 2024, they remained near record levels, and January 2025 alone saw 750 homicides reported.

Miriam Naranjo, a Noboa supporter, noted that while his tenure has been short, his work is already yielding results. “We need to continue the work he’s started,” she said. “We were expecting a larger margin, so now we have to work hard to maintain support for our candidate.”