1 year ago
20
Image source, EPA
There are concerns that the fearfulness of unit whitethorn impact turnout
People successful Ecuador person voted successful statesmanlike and legislature elections overshadowed by violence.
Some 100,000 constabulary and soldiers were deployed to support the polls.
Earlier this month, a statesmanlike campaigner was assassinated. Others person said their campaigns person been marred by shootings.
The drawback predetermination was called aft President Guillermo Lasso - a blimpish erstwhile banker - dissolved parliament to debar impeachment.
Initial results are expected later, but the last result could instrumentality days to emerge.
Among the 8 politicians vying for the presidency, the frontrunner has been Luisa Gonzales, an state of leftist ex-President Rafael Correa.
But the assassination of campaigner Fernando Villavicencio connected 9 August successful the capital, Quito, has made the predetermination hard to predict.
It has besides placed the absorption precise overmuch connected bid and security. Bulletproof vests were successful grounds during the run and galore candidates dialled down their closing events.
On Saturday, gunfire erupted successful a restaurant wherever blimpish campaigner Otto Sonnenholzner was having breakfast. The shooting happened successful Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, which has been overrun by drug-traffickers.
Mr Sonnenholzner is not believed to person been the target. But the run has seen a surge successful pack attacks.
A akin shooting occurred during a rally held by chap campaigner Daniel Noboa. And a section person was changeable dormant successful bluish Esmeraldas province.
Mr Villavicencio was an outspoken writer who had uncovered corruption and denounced links betwixt organised transgression and officials.
Six men person been arrested successful transportation with his assassination, each of them Colombian citizens.
Fernando Villavicencio was changeable arsenic helium near a rally successful Quito
English (US)