The Electoral Council strengthened control in venues for the runoff

The National Electoral Council (CNE) implemented a key figure for the April 13 elections: polling station coordinators. These actors will be the link between the voting boards and the organization, in order to address incidents, ensure order, and reinforce the transparency of the electoral process.

The new position responds to recommendations from international missions such as the OAS and the European Union, after the first round on February 9. The observations included failures in electoral training and lack of control over the public force, which affected the normal development of the day.

The regulation approved on March 19 establishes that coordinators will be present in centers with more than five boards, supervising from the entry of people with disabilities to the actions of police and military. Additionally, they must prevent political proselytism and facilitate the work of observers.

The temporary hiring of 2,900 people will require a budget of $690,000, while strengthening training for table coordinators and other staff would raise the total investment to $1′777,000. The goal is clear: reduce the 6% of inconsistencies in records detected in the first round.

The decision comes in a context where photographing the ballot with a cell phone was prohibited, in the face of attempts to manipulate and coerce the vote. Fines for violating this rule exceed $9,000, showing the CNE's intention to shield the day from irregularities.

This institutional reinforcement becomes relevant given the closeness of the first-round results. With a difference of just 16,000 votes between the candidates, every technical detail could tip the balance in the second round, where Daniel Noboa, representing a renewal proposal, and Luisa González, backed by correísmo, will compete.

Experts warn that the lack of control and electoral training can distort the results. In that sense, the role of the coordinators seeks to guarantee that the will of the people is expressed clearly, safely, and free from pressures.

Meanwhile, as the country prepares to define its future, the CNE is committed to strengthening institutionalism. The creation of these operational links will contribute to Ecuadorians voting with confidence and will allow facing the logistical and political challenges of a close election.