Ecuadorian opposition leader questions change in election date

Quito, Sep 26 (Prensa Latina) Gabriela Rivadeneira, president of the Citizen Revolution (RC) movement, questioned the decision to move up local elections in Ecuador due to the El Nino weather event, warning that rains forecast for November could contradict that justification. In a video posted on the social network X, Rivadeneira noted that the National Electoral Council (CNE) decided to bring forward the elections—originally scheduled for February 14, 2027—to November 29 of this year.

September 26, 2026
23:03

According to the leader of the main opposition political force, the official argument for moving up the elections was that rains and flooding associated with El Nino could affect roads, polling stations, and voter transport.

However, Rivadeneira pointed out that the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology has warned of more intense and frequent rains during November and December 2026.

“If they moved the elections up to avoid the rains of February 2027, why did they choose November, when heavy rains are forecast?” she asked.

The November 29 elections will determine the selection of prefects, mayors, councilors, and parish board representatives, as well as members of the Council for Citizen Participation and Social Control (Cpccs).

The RC was temporarily suspended by the Electoral Contentious Tribunal (TCE), forcing its representatives to seek alliances to run under the sponsorship of other parties.

Against this backdrop, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) called on the Ecuadorian State to guarantee pluralistic and equal political participation, as well as due process and legal certainty.

jdt/mh/avr