Overview

• The Jurado Nacional de Elecciones set Monday, October 13, as the cutoff for authorities who intend to compete in the 2026 general elections to step down, under rules grounded in the Constitution and electoral law.
• For governors, vicegovernors and mayors, a resignation takes effect upon presentation and the office passes immediately to the vicegovernor or the first councilor, according to JNE guidance.
• Ministers and other high officials must submit resignations to their own institutions rather than the JNE, with final-day acceptance governed by each office’s in-person or virtual intake hours.
• With one day remaining, formal exits are limited; former justice minister Juan José Santiváñez resigned to pursue a Senate bid as ex–health minister César Vásquez signaled he would run and other authorities have yet to declare.
• Oversight pressure includes 78 authorities under neutrality investigations, while regional and municipal councilors must secure 60-day leaves effective February 11, 2026 ahead of the December 23 deadline to file party lists.