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Ecuador Voters Defeat Noboa’s Four-Question Referendum

An almost complete official count leaves the 2008 constitution and its ban on foreign military bases intact, signaling a major setback that will force the president to reset his strategy within current constraints.

Overview

  • With more than 95% of ballots processed, the National Electoral Council confirms a clear No on all four proposals championed by President Daniel Noboa.
  • The Constituent Assembly initiative and the plan to allow foreign bases were each rejected by about 61%, while ending public party financing and shrinking the legislature lost by roughly 58% and 53%.
  • Turnout topped 80% in an orderly vote, lending strong legitimacy to the results reported by electoral authorities.
  • Noboa acknowledged the outcome and said he respects the will of voters, vowing to continue governing with the tools available.
  • Analysts describe the result as a significant political setback that will require course corrections on security and institutional policy even as the government touted the referendum-day arrest in Europe of alleged Los Lobos leader ‘Pipo’ Chavarría.