Noboa has been facing controversy regarding the limits of his authority throughout his latest campaign.
The constitution of Ecuador mandates that public officials must take a leave of absence to seek re-election.
Instead of abiding by this requirement, Noboa issued two executive decrees to avoid transferring power to his vice president, Veronica Abad, with whom he is currently in conflict. Recently, the Constitutional Court of Ecuador deemed both decrees unconstitutional.
Following the court’s ruling, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), a prominent Indigenous rights coalition, criticized Noboa for treating the presidency as if it were his personal estate.
In a statement, CONAIE expressed, “No authoritarian tactics can conceal the reality: Noboa’s administration is filled with irregularities, abuses, and disregard for democracy.”
Acting president of CONAIE, Zenaida Yasacama, shared with Al Jazeera, “We have never had confidence in this administration. As a woman, his treatment of the vice president has been distressing.”
Nevertheless, Noboa is campaigning for a second term, pledging to combat the “old politics” of Ecuador.
In his advertisements, Noboa is portrayed in a white T-shirt against a purple background, promoting the idea of “one single round” — urging voters to secure a massive victory on Sunday without the need for a run-off election.
This casual image is meant to appeal to Ecuador’s younger population, with young voters showing strong support for Noboa. Some even carry cardboard cut-outs of him.
In a country where the average voting age is 28 and 16-year-olds are eligible to vote, this demographic could play a significant role in the polls.
Despite his charisma as a youthful leader, political analyst Hurtado cautioned that Noboa’s popularity may wane if he fails to effectively address the country’s major challenges.
“If he cannot tackle the significant issues facing the nation, his popularity will decline,” Hurtado emphasized.
