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| Ecuador election ends in a 'tie' prompting run-off | Ecuador election ends in a 'tie' prompting run-off |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Daniel Noboa and Luisa González will face off in the second round in April | |
| Ecuador's presidential election will go to a second round after a closely contested first-round result failed to produce an outright winner. | Ecuador's presidential election will go to a second round after a closely contested first-round result failed to produce an outright winner. |
| The electoral authorities called it a "technical tie" after the incumbent centre-right candidate, Daniel Noboa, and his main left-wing challenger Luisa González received nearly identical percentages of the vote. | The electoral authorities called it a "technical tie" after the incumbent centre-right candidate, Daniel Noboa, and his main left-wing challenger Luisa González received nearly identical percentages of the vote. |
| The pair will now face a run-off in April. | The pair will now face a run-off in April. |
| The result is far narrower than opinion polls had predicted, indicating the second round could be harder to call. | The result is far narrower than opinion polls had predicted, indicating the second round could be harder to call. |
| The narrow result also dashed the hopes of Noboa's supporters, who had been buoyed by an early exit poll suggesting he might clinch victory outright. | The narrow result also dashed the hopes of Noboa's supporters, who had been buoyed by an early exit poll suggesting he might clinch victory outright. |
| The president's supporters gathered in Quito, waving flags, donning T-shirts with his image and holding life-size cardboard cut-outs of the incumbent president. | The president's supporters gathered in Quito, waving flags, donning T-shirts with his image and holding life-size cardboard cut-outs of the incumbent president. |
| These cut-outs, depicting Noboa in various outfits – from suits to tank tops and sunglasses – have become ubiquitous symbols across the country decorating front doors, apartment windows, and even car rooftops. | These cut-outs, depicting Noboa in various outfits – from suits to tank tops and sunglasses – have become ubiquitous symbols across the country decorating front doors, apartment windows, and even car rooftops. |
| Issues including security and energy were both high on the agenda going into the election | Issues including security and energy were both high on the agenda going into the election |
| Noboa's presidency has been defined by his focus on tackling severe gang violence. | Noboa's presidency has been defined by his focus on tackling severe gang violence. |
| He implemented emergency measures to deploy the military to streets and prisons to curb rising crime. | He implemented emergency measures to deploy the military to streets and prisons to curb rising crime. |
| Many of his supporters hope he will secure a mandate in the run-off to continue his security policies. | Many of his supporters hope he will secure a mandate in the run-off to continue his security policies. |
| "He's helped us a lot, from when there was gang violence so bad that we couldn't even go out," said Fernanda Iza. | "He's helped us a lot, from when there was gang violence so bad that we couldn't even go out," said Fernanda Iza. |
| The 45-year-old added: "The support of the military he's introduced – their presence is already helping. | The 45-year-old added: "The support of the military he's introduced – their presence is already helping. |
| "He has brought us a certain stability. There are many problems still pending, but I hope he continues with his plan." | "He has brought us a certain stability. There are many problems still pending, but I hope he continues with his plan." |
| Fernanda Iza (left) believes Daniel Noboa's measures to tackle violent crime in Ecuador are working | Fernanda Iza (left) believes Daniel Noboa's measures to tackle violent crime in Ecuador are working |
| Juan Diego Escobar, 16, expressed optimism about Noboa's chances. | Juan Diego Escobar, 16, expressed optimism about Noboa's chances. |
| "I think the majority of people who voted for other candidates will prefer to vote for Daniel Noboa in the second round," he said. | "I think the majority of people who voted for other candidates will prefer to vote for Daniel Noboa in the second round," he said. |
| "Noboa handles insecurity well. Crime is fairly well controlled. I think he will also improve the economy." | "Noboa handles insecurity well. Crime is fairly well controlled. I think he will also improve the economy." |
| Miriam Naranjo said despite being the incumbent, Noboa represented "change". | Miriam Naranjo said despite being the incumbent, Noboa represented "change". |
| She added: "We need the work that he has been doing so far to continue. It's only been a short time. We were expecting a bigger margin, so we have to work to keep that support for our candidate." | She added: "We need the work that he has been doing so far to continue. It's only been a short time. We were expecting a bigger margin, so we have to work to keep that support for our candidate." |
| Despite some successes, such as the capture of some major gang leaders and a slight reduction in prison violence, violent crime remains a major issue. | Despite some successes, such as the capture of some major gang leaders and a slight reduction in prison violence, violent crime remains a major issue. |
| Violent deaths fell in 2024 but stayed near record levels. In January 2025 alone 750 homicides were reported. | Violent deaths fell in 2024 but stayed near record levels. In January 2025 alone 750 homicides were reported. |
| González – a protégé of former president Rafael Correa – has criticised Noboa for failing to deliver on key promises, such as boosting the economy, cutting fuel prices, and addressing violent crime. | González – a protégé of former president Rafael Correa – has criticised Noboa for failing to deliver on key promises, such as boosting the economy, cutting fuel prices, and addressing violent crime. |
| While she has proposed similar military and police operations to combat crime, her campaign has emphasised increased social spending in Ecuador's most violent regions. | While she has proposed similar military and police operations to combat crime, her campaign has emphasised increased social spending in Ecuador's most violent regions. |
| Noboa's critics also accused him of a slow response to a severe drought that led to prolonged power cuts last year. | Noboa's critics also accused him of a slow response to a severe drought that led to prolonged power cuts last year. |
| The incumbent also sparked controversy during the campaign by refusing to delegate his presidential duties to Vice-President Verónica Abad, citing an electoral law loophole. | The incumbent also sparked controversy during the campaign by refusing to delegate his presidential duties to Vice-President Verónica Abad, citing an electoral law loophole. |
| This decision became part of a public spat between the two. | This decision became part of a public spat between the two. |
| Some 14 million Ecuadorians voted this Sunday to elect the next president | Some 14 million Ecuadorians voted this Sunday to elect the next president |
| Luisa González's supporters see her as a chance for change. | Luisa González's supporters see her as a chance for change. |
| Gonzalo Cajas, 46, said: "Why is there crime? There is poverty. There is hunger. So there should be someone who is really aware of Ecuadorean workers so that the country moves forward." | Gonzalo Cajas, 46, said: "Why is there crime? There is poverty. There is hunger. So there should be someone who is really aware of Ecuadorean workers so that the country moves forward." |
| Alejandra Tufiño, 42, added: "The country's security is in pieces. I want change. I'm not saying that she's going to solve it – but let's see what happens if we give her a chance." | Alejandra Tufiño, 42, added: "The country's security is in pieces. I want change. I'm not saying that she's going to solve it – but let's see what happens if we give her a chance." |
| Some voters remain disillusioned with both candidates. | Some voters remain disillusioned with both candidates. |
| Gabriela Cajo, 39, who backed a candidate from the party of assassinated 2023 presidential hopeful Fernando Villavicencio, expressed frustration with the lack of progress on crime. | Gabriela Cajo, 39, who backed a candidate from the party of assassinated 2023 presidential hopeful Fernando Villavicencio, expressed frustration with the lack of progress on crime. |
| "Daniel Noboa represents fear, and we represent hope, change. We do not want a state of war, we want peace," she said. | "Daniel Noboa represents fear, and we represent hope, change. We do not want a state of war, we want peace," she said. |
| "I think we are all annoyed with the electoral processes in the country, and the last thing we want is a second round and more expenditure of resources. | "I think we are all annoyed with the electoral processes in the country, and the last thing we want is a second round and more expenditure of resources. |
| "There will be tremendous polarisation. There will be a lot of opposition to whoever wins. Once again, we will have to choose who is the least worst." | "There will be tremendous polarisation. There will be a lot of opposition to whoever wins. Once again, we will have to choose who is the least worst." |
| Gabriela Cajo believes more can be done to tackle the high levels of violent crime in Ecuador | Gabriela Cajo believes more can be done to tackle the high levels of violent crime in Ecuador |
| Whoever is victorious in April will face significant challenges. | Whoever is victorious in April will face significant challenges. |
| Ecuador continues to grapple with rampant crime, as drug cartels battle for control of lucrative trafficking routes through its ports. Kidnappings and murders remain daily occurrences. | Ecuador continues to grapple with rampant crime, as drug cartels battle for control of lucrative trafficking routes through its ports. Kidnappings and murders remain daily occurrences. |
| The country is also struggling with high unemployment, a weak economy, and an energy crisis that caused blackouts of up to 14 hours last year. | The country is also struggling with high unemployment, a weak economy, and an energy crisis that caused blackouts of up to 14 hours last year. |
| Noboa has pledged to address these issues by creating jobs, attracting investment, and increasing renewable energy production. | Noboa has pledged to address these issues by creating jobs, attracting investment, and increasing renewable energy production. |
| Meanwhile, González has emphasised the need for economic reform, social investment, and a stronger focus on tackling poverty. | Meanwhile, González has emphasised the need for economic reform, social investment, and a stronger focus on tackling poverty. |