Ecuadorian Elections 2023

February 02, 2023

Sunday, February 5, 2023 is election day in Ecuador, and while I cannot pretend to understand the ins and outs of local issues or the idiosyncrasies of the electoral process, it is impossible not to pay at least a little attention. Ecuador elected their President and Congress in 2021 to four-year terms, so these are midterms and all local elections: mayors, city and county councils, rural representatives, and the like.

There are also eight referendum questions on the ballot, placed there by current President Guillermo Lasso, to which voters are required to answer Yes/No. I have read the eight questions several times, and they are all wordy and complicated! I am not sure I understand several of them, but they include important issues of extradition, financial oversight, congressional representation, and environmental protections.

In comparison to TV commercials and glossy mailers that frequent mailboxes during US election season, Ecuadorian propaganda feels particularly grassroots -- parades, huge vinyl posters on practically every house, colorful banners and flags, free t-shirts, and no shortage of amplified sound. Cars and trucks drive around towns and cities with huge speakers in the back blasting campaign jingles, dance music, and messages from candidates.

In addition, for the last month -- since the close of New Year's-- any unusual activity in town is campaign-related. There have been free meals, bands playing on the rooftops of buses, trucks handing out propane gas tanks, campaign soccer tournaments, musical presentations, dance parties, and more. All sponsored by any one of many political parties.

Last night, we briefly attended one of these programs to support Lucia's husband, Washington, who is running for president of the local rural council. It took place at the covered indoor court (cancha) in the center of town and started just before 6pm. There were impromptu soccer matches-- Dillon participated in the kids' game -- a professional singer, a free meal, and, of course, long-winded campaign speeches. Brynna was inconsolable when we left at 9pm before the dancing. Dancing was her whole reason for attending.

Unlike our two-party system, Ecuador currently boasts 17 active political parties. Political parties are referred to as "lists" (listas), the oldest of which, the Socialist Party, dates back to 1926; the newest, the center-leaning People, Quality and Democracy Movement, formed in 2022. The lists are coded by both color and number -- for example, the #17 red party is the Partido Socialista Ecuatoriano (PSE), the orange and blue #23 party is the SUMA lista.

There is even a rainbow party. When we first started seeing rainbow flags a couple of months ago in southern Ecuador, I was taken aback. Was this support for LGBTQ movement in Ecuador?! Alas, no, the rainbow flag represents #18, The Pachakutic Plurinational Unity movement, an Indigenous center-left coalition party.

Having 17 active parties means there are a LOT of candidates. For example, Loja, a southern Andean city we visited a couple weeks ago, has 15 mayoral candidates. As far as I can tell, La Maná, our cantón, has at least six. While there are some female candidates, nationwide only 31% of mayoral candidates are women. This just meets the legal requirement that at least 30% of candidates be female.

Voting in elections is mandatory for all Ecuadorians ages 18 to 65, and everyone has to vote where they registered. The fine for not voting is $45, (10% of the monthly minimum wage, currently $450/month). Many rural Ecuadorians maintain ties to their hometowns and participate in elections of their birthplaces, rather than cities where they currently reside. It seems to me that both the mandate and longstanding local ties lead to increased investment in local elections. For candidates, every adult is a potential vote; for voters, being informed makes the mandate more tolerable. It also means lots of folks will be coming "home" this weekend.

Of note, elections are always held on Sundays.

Recurring themes in local candidates speeches and propaganda are not unlike issues back home -- jobs and financial security, fair representation, transparency of government processes, community engagement, environment, and promotion of tourism.

Campaigning officially closes tonight at midnight (thank goodness, we are all a bit tired of the parades and music). That being said, Carnaval is right around the corner, so I am not sure how much peace and quiet we will all get in the coming days.