Versión Español
Following the announcement of the presidential victory of the ruling party’s candidate, Lenin Moreno, the Ecuadorian opposition have protested against the results due to an alleged “electoral fraud.”
Thousands of citizens, mostly supporters of the Movimiento CREO, have gathered outside the National Electoral Council (CNE), and have remained there since Sunday night, April 2.
- Read More: Ecuador’s Lasso Assures He Will Accept Results of Presidential Election Recount
- Read More: Moreno Claims Victory over Lasso by Slim Margins, Lasso Campaign Cites Irregularities, Discusses Recount
However, on Tuesday, April 4th, the number of demonstrators increased after the ruling party candidate’s victory was announced.
“Democracy yes, no dictatorship” were part of the slogans that demonstrators shouted out loud.
The protests have not only taken place in the country’s capital, but also in other cities, including Ambato and Cuenca.
Intersections have been closed by young people setting up campfires and black flags can be seen on the street held by citizens who are dissatisfied with the ruling party’s triumph.
The recount of votes was requested by the Ecuadorian people after opposition leader Lasso‘s assertion that there was “fraud” in the published results.
Today, Wednesday, April 5th, the opposition candidate from the party Creando Oportunidades (CREO), will present the technical and legal support to prove there was “fraud”, along with the director of the CREO, Cesar Monge, and a team of lawyers at the Hilton Colon hotel in Guayaquil.
Lasso already warned that he and his team predict that their request will be denied, but said that this would confirm the fraud.
“We foresee that they will deny our requests, but the denial of our requests confirms their fraud,” he said.
According to official data announced last Tuesday by the country’s electoral authority, Moreno won by a margin of more than two points.
Tercera noche de vigilia en Quito. Protesta en las avenidas Eloy Alfaro y los Shyris . @eluniversocom pic.twitter.com/ILOaE6NcPU
— Vicente Ordóñez P. (@vicenteopi) April 5, 2017
Tweet: Third night watch in Quito. Protest on Eloy Alfaro and Los Shyris Avenues.
https://twitter.com/Sergioramos3/status/849491967826427906
Tweet: “Free people, remember the saying: We can acquire liberty, but once it’s lost you can’t recover it again.”
Cientos de ciudadanos continuan en plantón frente al CNE. Ciudadanos dan discursos sobre defensa de resultados electorales @eluniversocom pic.twitter.com/lbAQVPncwE
— Patricia Sandoval J (@PattySan2011) April 5, 2017
Tweet: Hundreds of citizens remain in front of the National Electoral Council. Citizens give speeches about defending electoral results.
Protesta en Quito. Bloqueadas las avenidas República y Eloy Alfaro. @eluniversocom pic.twitter.com/6Md8WXWgWt
— Vicente Ordóñez P. (@vicenteopi) April 5, 2017
Tweet: Protest in Quito. Eloy Alfaro and Republica Avenues blocked.
Three out of four exit polls had showed Lasso as the winner when polls closed at 5pm, but Moreno ended up winning by a slender margin.
Sources: La República; El Universo
