President Lenín Moreno recommends that the CNE adopt preventive measures during the campaign and suffrage, since the coronavirus will continue to be present for months.
Postponing the presidential and legislative elections of 2021, due to the health emergency, is not on the government’s agenda despite the proposal made by the president of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Diana Atamaint.
In an interview with two media outlets, President Lenín Moreno said that although the coronavirus pandemic changed daily life in the country, he asked to analyze other options to respect constitutional provisions.
According to the Constitution, the President-elect must assume office on May 24, 2021 and remain in office for 4 years. The 137 assembly members, on the other hand, must take office on May 14 of next year.
The head of state pointed out that preventive measures must be taken into account for the campaign and suffrage, in case the emergency lasts until February 7, 2021, when the first electoral round will take place.
“Elections are part of the democratic exercise, that is not disputed. However, until just a month ago, the country was very different from the one we have today. In just four weeks, he placed us all – rulers and governed – before a stage where few things seem to be written on stone, ”he exclaimed.
Moreno indicated that it will be necessary to change habits since the virus will remain for months.
Under these conditions, he said that the CNE could analyze other alternatives to respect the scheduled date: modify deadlines, for example.
He also recommended that clear provisions be issued to avoid crowds during the campaign and voting.
Atamaint’s approach to postponing the elections does not have the support of the rest of the councilors either. Even, the budget has not yet been defined once the Executive ordered the Ministry of Finance “to reduce unnecessary expenses.”
On March 23, the president of the electoral body announced that a proforma of USD 123 million is being handled to organize the elections and assured that there was an approximate reduction of USD 22 million.
Since the state of emergency came into force, the CNE Plenary has not yet held a session to approve the budget.
Source: El Comercio, El Universo, social networks
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