Overview
- About 13.7 million voters are called to the polls as electoral silence and a nationwide dry law take effect, with early voting completed for inmates and 597 homebound citizens under the CNE’s ‘Voto en casa’ program.
- The four-question ballot asks whether to allow foreign military installations, end state financing for political parties, cut the legislature from 151 to 73 seats, and convene a Constituent Assembly under an attached statute.
- Permitting foreign bases would reverse a 2008 ban; U.S. Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem visited and inspected facilities in Manta and Salinas during the campaign, reflecting reported U.S. interest if the measure passes.
- President Daniel Noboa frames the package as essential to confront violent organized crime, citing 4,619 homicides in the first half of 2025, while correísmo, CONAIE and other groups warn of power concentration and risks to rights and sovereignty.
- Each question needs more than 50% of valid votes to pass, final results are due by January 5, 2026, and approval of the Constituent Assembly would trigger constituent elections and a subsequent ratifying referendum roughly within 180 days.