A study of that center revealed that around 70 percent of the population still does not know who they will elect as mayor or prefect, while 95.5 percent is undecided about the candidates to the Council of Citizen Participation and Social Control (Cpccs).

Gorki Aguirre, director of the center in charge of the survey, told Radio Sonorama that citizens currently show a high political apathy and many expect gifts from the candidates to choose who to vote for.

On February 5, Ecuadorians will elect 23 provincial prefects and vice prefects, 221 mayors, 864 urban and 443 rural councilors, as well as 4,109 members of parish councils.

In addition, they will vote for the seven principal and alternate members of the Cpccs and will participate in the popular consultation proposed by the government of President Guillermo Lasso.

This procedure, for which 18.08 million dollars will be allocated, contains eight questions on issues such as environment, security, transparency, registration of political parties, conformation of the legislature and the powers of the Cpccs.

The electoral campaign starts on January 3 and during this period an explosion of propaganda is expected, although this will probably not contribute to define the vote, warned the expert.

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