This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6052370.stm

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

Version 6 Version 7
Ecuador set for run-off election Ecuador set for run-off election
(about 1 hour later)
The richest man in Ecuador is to face a leftist in a run-off next month after the first round of the presidential election, partial results make clear.The richest man in Ecuador is to face a leftist in a run-off next month after the first round of the presidential election, partial results make clear.
Banana tycoon Alvaro Noboa won slightly more of the vote than Rafael Correa, a left-wing ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.Banana tycoon Alvaro Noboa won slightly more of the vote than Rafael Correa, a left-wing ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
The outgoing President, Alfredo Palacio, described the election as a festival of democracy.The outgoing President, Alfredo Palacio, described the election as a festival of democracy.
Ecuador is electing its eighth leader in a decade of political turbulence.Ecuador is electing its eighth leader in a decade of political turbulence.
The partial results show Mr Noboa with a lead of one to two points over Mr Correa, with neither managing to score more than 28% in the 13-candidate race. With around a quarter of the votes counted Mr Noboa had 25.7% of the vote compared to 24.1% for Mr Correa.
The second round will be held on 26 November.The second round will be held on 26 November.
Close raceClose race
It looks like being the result most analysts in Ecuador had predicted, the BBC's Daniel Schweimler reports from Quito, but Mr Correa, a 43-year-old economist, was quick to claim fraud and that he had won an outright victory.It looks like being the result most analysts in Ecuador had predicted, the BBC's Daniel Schweimler reports from Quito, but Mr Correa, a 43-year-old economist, was quick to claim fraud and that he had won an outright victory.
Mr Correa has vowed to challenge the political establishmentMr Correa has vowed to challenge the political establishment
He said attempts had been made to bribe his party workers in some areas and that he would be making a formal complaint.He said attempts had been made to bribe his party workers in some areas and that he would be making a formal complaint.
Alvaro Noboa, who at 55 is trying for the third time to become president, said he was pleased with the result and looked forward to the second round.Alvaro Noboa, who at 55 is trying for the third time to become president, said he was pleased with the result and looked forward to the second round.
"I am deeply touched," he told a rally of supporters.
"It has been my struggle since 1998. They took it away from me in 1998 and in 2002... I have just checked again with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and I am in first place."
The two men could not be more different, our correspondent notes.The two men could not be more different, our correspondent notes.
Mr Noboa inherited his father's banana empire and enjoys much of his support in Ecuador's financial centre, the coastal city of Guayaquil.Mr Noboa inherited his father's banana empire and enjoys much of his support in Ecuador's financial centre, the coastal city of Guayaquil.
Mr Correa is a friend of Mr Chavez and he has said he would oppose a planned free trade deal with the US.Mr Correa is a friend of Mr Chavez and he has said he would oppose a planned free trade deal with the US.
He enjoys the bulk of his support in Quito.He enjoys the bulk of his support in Quito.
Many people in Ecuador are already disillusioned with their politicians, our correspondent says.Many people in Ecuador are already disillusioned with their politicians, our correspondent says.
The fight between Rafael Correa and Alvaro Noboa may not be a pretty one and is unlikely to restore much faith in the country's politicians, he adds.The fight between Rafael Correa and Alvaro Noboa may not be a pretty one and is unlikely to restore much faith in the country's politicians, he adds.
Ecuadoreans drove their last three elected presidents from power and only three since 1979 have succeeded in serving full terms.Ecuadoreans drove their last three elected presidents from power and only three since 1979 have succeeded in serving full terms.