This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21492470

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Ecuador election: Rafael Correa ahead in exit polls Ecuador election: Rafael Correa ahead in exit polls
(35 minutes later)
Voting in Ecuador's presidential election has ended, with initial exit polls suggesting incumbent Rafael Correa will get a third term. Exit polls in Ecuador's presidential election suggest incumbent Rafael Correa will get a third term.
A poll shown by Ecuadorean state TV gave Mr Correa 61%, compared to 21% for his nearest rival, Guillermo Lasso. An Ecuadorean state TV poll gave Mr Correa 61%, ahead of 21% for his nearest rival, Guillermo Lasso. Mr Correa has declared victory.
First elected in 2007, the socialist leader is widely credited with bringing political stability to a nation that suffered decades of protests and coups.First elected in 2007, the socialist leader is widely credited with bringing political stability to a nation that suffered decades of protests and coups.
But critics accuse him of being a dictator in the making.But critics accuse him of being a dictator in the making.
The 49-year-old US-trained economist has been accused of implementing policies that have served to strengthen his hold on power and erode the influence of political opponents and private media.The 49-year-old US-trained economist has been accused of implementing policies that have served to strengthen his hold on power and erode the influence of political opponents and private media.
But his so-called "citizens' revolution" has made him popular with many ordinary Ecuadoreans and has won him friends among other Latin American left-wing leaders.But his so-called "citizens' revolution" has made him popular with many ordinary Ecuadoreans and has won him friends among other Latin American left-wing leaders.
He was facing seven other candidates in Sunday's presidential vote.
Preliminary partial results are expected at 24:00 GMT (19:00 local time), with the final results likely to known at 04:00 GMT.
'Sun King''Sun King'
During his six years in power, Mr Correa has expanded access to healthcare and education and improved thousands of miles of highways, creating many jobs in the process. Poverty rates have dropped significantly.During his six years in power, Mr Correa has expanded access to healthcare and education and improved thousands of miles of highways, creating many jobs in the process. Poverty rates have dropped significantly.
"For years, this country went from government to government," Lorena Morocho, a 33-year-old civil servant, told the BBC. "I don't like certain things [Correa] does, but he is a great leader. I am voting for a project of hope.""For years, this country went from government to government," Lorena Morocho, a 33-year-old civil servant, told the BBC. "I don't like certain things [Correa] does, but he is a great leader. I am voting for a project of hope."
But critics say that, since coming to office, he has filled the courts and government positions with allies and stifled free speech by taking on the media.But critics say that, since coming to office, he has filled the courts and government positions with allies and stifled free speech by taking on the media.
They also complain he has restricted free enterprise with heavy taxation and regulatory changes and taken government spending to an unsustainable level.They also complain he has restricted free enterprise with heavy taxation and regulatory changes and taken government spending to an unsustainable level.
Mr Correa is close to Venezuela and Cuba and has sought to establish ties with Iran and China. Last year, he upset the US, Britain and Sweden by granting asylum to wanted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the Ecuadorean embassy in London.Mr Correa is close to Venezuela and Cuba and has sought to establish ties with Iran and China. Last year, he upset the US, Britain and Sweden by granting asylum to wanted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the Ecuadorean embassy in London.
"I don't recognise the current Correa. He is a different person. He is not the friend I used to have, that I used to love like a brother," Alberto Acosta, one of the co-founders of the Alianza Pais governing party and now an opposition candidate, told the BBC."I don't recognise the current Correa. He is a different person. He is not the friend I used to have, that I used to love like a brother," Alberto Acosta, one of the co-founders of the Alianza Pais governing party and now an opposition candidate, told the BBC.
"He controls everything. He is a sort of Sun King of the 21st Century," he said referring to France's King Louis XIV."He controls everything. He is a sort of Sun King of the 21st Century," he said referring to France's King Louis XIV.
Since 2007, Mr Correa has re-written the country's constitution: a move that allowed him to run for, and win, a new term in 2009. He is legally barred from running again after this election, the Associated Press reports.Since 2007, Mr Correa has re-written the country's constitution: a move that allowed him to run for, and win, a new term in 2009. He is legally barred from running again after this election, the Associated Press reports.