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Ecuador votes for new president Ecuador votes for new president
(about 4 hours later)
The people of Ecuador are preparing to vote for a new president to replace the one they removed from power last year following angry street protests. Voting is under way in Ecuador for a new president who will be the eighth leader in 10 years of the politically turbulent South American nation.
There are 13 candidates including the ex-economy minister, Rafael Correa, a leftist ally of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. The 13 candidates include ex-economy minister, Rafael Correa, a leftist ally of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.
Ecuador's richest man, Alvaro Noboa, is standing for the centre-right.Ecuador's richest man, Alvaro Noboa, is standing for the centre-right.
Analysts say none of the candidates is expected to receive the 40% of the vote needed to win outright. Analysts say none of the candidates is expected to receive the 40% of the vote needed to win outright, which would lead to a run-off vote in November.
That would lead to a second round vote between the top two in November.
Close raceClose race
Outsiders are closely observing a ballot which could tip the balance of power in Latin America in favour of the leftist, anti-American politics of Mr Chavez and Bolivia's Evo Morales.Outsiders are closely observing a ballot which could tip the balance of power in Latin America in favour of the leftist, anti-American politics of Mr Chavez and Bolivia's Evo Morales.
ECUADOR VOTES Polling day 15 OctPossible run-off 26 NovVoting is obligatory9.2 million registered voters13 candidatesECUADOR VOTES Polling day 15 OctPossible run-off 26 NovVoting is obligatory9.2 million registered voters13 candidates
Mr Correa has promised to ban free trade pacts with the US, rewrite the constitution to strengthen presidential powers, and achieve a "citizen's revolution".Mr Correa has promised to ban free trade pacts with the US, rewrite the constitution to strengthen presidential powers, and achieve a "citizen's revolution".
"We have to overcome the fallacies of neoliberalism and search for what in Latin America has been called 21st century socialism," Reuters news agency quoted him as saying."We have to overcome the fallacies of neoliberalism and search for what in Latin America has been called 21st century socialism," Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.
Mr Correa's main rival Mr Noboa, 55, is a pro-US billionaire populist and the country's richest man.Mr Correa's main rival Mr Noboa, 55, is a pro-US billionaire populist and the country's richest man.
Mr Noboa has promised to sign a free trade pact with the USMr Noboa has promised to sign a free trade pact with the US
He has promised to build houses and create jobs to carry Ecuador's poor into the middle class and has condemned Mr Correa as a communist during campaign rallies.He has promised to build houses and create jobs to carry Ecuador's poor into the middle class and has condemned Mr Correa as a communist during campaign rallies.
He is making his third attempt on the presidency and has promised to bolster free markets and sign a free trade deal with the US.He is making his third attempt on the presidency and has promised to bolster free markets and sign a free trade deal with the US.
The other two candidates who are thought to have a chance of making it to a run-off vote are: The other two candidates who are thought to have a chance of making it to a run-off vote are former Vice-President Leon Roldos, from the centre-left and ex-TV presenter Cynthia Viteri, who is said to enjoy support among the business community.
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Driven from power
  • Former Vice-President Leon Roldos, from the centre-left
    		• Voting is obligatory, which is probably just as well says the BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Quito as many voters say they are tired of their politicians.
    Thousands threatened to spoil their ballot papers in protest at years of corruption and mismanagement.
  • Ex-TV presenter Cynthia Viteri, who is said to enjoy support among the business community
    • The BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Quito says that large numbers of people remain undecided about which way to vote, and thousands have said they will spoil their ballot papers.
    Ecuador enjoys huge oil and banana wealth but half the population lives around the poverty line and unemployment is high.Ecuador enjoys huge oil and banana wealth but half the population lives around the poverty line and unemployment is high.
    Ecuadoreans have driven their last three elected presidents from power and only three since 1979 have succeeded in serving full terms.Ecuadoreans have driven their last three elected presidents from power and only three since 1979 have succeeded in serving full terms.
    There is not much evidence that whoever wins this election will fare much better, our correspondent says.There is not much evidence that whoever wins this election will fare much better, our correspondent says.
    Polls will open at 0700 local time (1200 GMT) on Sunday and close 10 hours later. Polls are due to close at 2200 GMT.