President-candidate Daniel Noboa announced he will not take leave during the campaign days for the second electoral round. His decision aims to prevent Vice President Verónica Abad from temporarily assuming power while he actively participates in the elections.
The Minister of Government, José De La Gasca, stated that Noboa doesn't need to request leave according to a 2010 Constitutional Court ruling. This interpretation establishes that candidacy in early elections doesn't constitute reelection, which allows the president to continue exercising his duties while campaigning.
The official stance is framed in the rejection of handing the country over "to political mafias," according to De La Gasca, in reference to Abad. The vice president recently resumed her diplomatic assignment in Türkiye, which required the repeal of the decrees that delegated her duties to Cynthia Gellibert.
During the first round, Noboa divided his schedule between government activities and campaigning, a model he will replicate now. The National Electoral Council (CNE) adjusted the calendar to allow the simultaneous start of the campaign and the presidential debate, starting March 23.
The Electoral Dispute Tribunal (TCE) will solve a complaint of gender political violence against Verónica Abad. The sanction, if confirmed, would prevent her from holding public office, which would facilitate the president entrusting power without ceding it to Abad.
