The Ecuadorian Electoral Council has scheduled the presidential election for August 20
Ecuador’s National Electoral Council announced an early presidential election on August 20 after President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly by decree last week and brought forward the vote scheduled for 2025.
Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso addresses a session of the National Assembly where opposition lawmakers are trying to impeach him on embezzlement charges in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
The Associated Press
QUITO, Ecuador — Ecuador’s National Electoral Council announced on Tuesday that an early presidential election would be held on August 20, after President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly by decree last week and brought forward the vote scheduled for 2025.
Lasso decided to dissolve the opposition-led legislature when lawmakers tried to impeach him for failing to stop a deal between the state-owned oil shipping company and a private tanker company, charges he denies.
When the General Assembly was dissolved, the President used for the first time the opportunity given by the constitution in the conflict with the legislative branch.
Elections were to be called within three months, for both the assembly and the presidency, with the winners serving what would otherwise have been the remainder of the elected officials’ terms. If there is no final winner, a second vote will take place in October.
Lasso can choose to run for president. In the meantime, he can govern by decree for a maximum of six months.
On Thursday, the Ecuadorian Constitutional Court rejected several objections aimed at invalidating the Lasso decree that dissolved the National Assembly.
Lasso, a 67-year-old former right-wing banker, took power in May 2021 for a four-year term after winning a general election.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ecuador-election-council-sets-presidential-vote-aug-20-99559696
