Quito, April 15, 2025  – Election day unfolded in a calm and transparent manner, with a higher presence of political party representatives than in the first round. These representatives were able to observe the counting without undue restrictions. The CNE results website and application functioned smoothly, guaranteeing the transparency and traceability of the results transmission system.

The electoral preparations were carried out efficiently and within the established timelines. Despite maintaining a high level of transparency, the CNE was once again subject to criticism, partly due to a resolution that banned the use of mobile devices during voting. This decision, which applied solely to voters at the time of voting, did not affect observers or party delegates.

The EU EOM observed a pluralistic and calm second-round campaign. Candidates were able to campaign without restrictions, and freedoms of assembly and movement were guaranteed, despite the State of Emergency in place in some areas of the country. Freedom of expression and freedom of the press were also respected.

However, President Noboa’s failure to request a “leave of absence” to the National Assembly at the beginning of the campaign contributed to further blurring the boundaries between his role as a candidate and his role as president. Additionally, disinformation, including the fraud narrative, remained an unresolved issue. Social media continues to lack effective regulation to prevent disinformation and ensure fairness.

Nacho Sánchez Amor, head of the European Parliament Delegation that joined the mission in the days leading up to the election, stated: “Despite persistent crosscutting fraud narratives, Sunday’s result reflects the will expressed by Ecuadorians at the ballot box. In our observation, we found a process that adheres to the procedures established by electoral law and CNE resolutions, ensuring the transparency, reliability, and credibility of the vote and the count. It would be advisable for the relevant state institutions to make greater efforts to ensure more balance in future electoral campaigns.”

This preliminary statement is issued prior to the completion of the electoral process and includes observations made to date. Critical stages remain, such as the publication of official results and the resolution of appeals. Once the process is concluded, the mission will publish its final report with a comprehensive analysis and recommendations for electoral reform.

About the EU EOM Ecuador 2025

The EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) arrived in Ecuador on December 28, 2024, at the invitation of the National Electoral Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to observe the 2025 General Elections. For the Presidential Runoff, the mission deployed 106 observers from 25 EU Member States, as well as from Norway and Canada, across the country. The EU EOM assesses the electoral process based on international obligations and commitments for democratic elections, as well as Ecuadorian law. On April 13, the EU EOM observed at 411 polling stations in 23 provinces. A delegation from the European Parliament, led by MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor, also joined the mission and supports this statement. The EU EOM is independent in its findings and conclusions and adheres to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.