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Press Release from the OAS Delegation In Ecuador

Led by Lázaro Cárdenas Batel, the delegation of the Organization of American States sent to Ecuador by the OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, in response to an invitation from the National Electoral Council (CNE) to observe the municipal elections, gives thanks for the invitation and wishes to highlight the Ecuadorian people's commitment to democracy, as attested by the massive turnout at the elections yesterday.

The voting was notable for the normalcy with which it proceeded and the citizenry are to be commended for their calmness as they waited for the results, following a hard-fought electoral campaign in which they expressed their diverse opinions, plans, and aspirations. The delegation values the maturity that the various contenders and political actors displayed after the preliminary results were made public.

The OAS underscores the efforts of the Ecuadorian electoral authorities in successfully implementing measures to ensure that these elections were inclusive. Of particular note was the introduction of gender parity in single-candidate lists.

The delegation witnessed the facilities made available to allow expectant mothers, women with small children, older persons, and people with disabilities to cast their ballots, including preferential voting, assisted voting, and voting from home. Persons deprived of their liberty who had yet to be convicted also voted.

The OAS held numerous meetings with electoral officials, candidates of both sexes, civil society representatives, the media, and political leaders, who aired their opinions about the elections and the context in which they were held. The delegation took note of their comments, concerns, and statements, which it brought to the attention of the CNE.

The delegation was also made aware of challenges that were submitted in certain parts of the country, which it trusts will be appropriately referred and addressed by the electoral authority's competent bodies.

On election day, the OAS visited different polling places and observed that activities were well organized and proceeding calmly. It also had the opportunity to witness different exercises involving the electronic voting system, which achieved its objective and is unquestionably an important step in modernizing the voting process.

Solid and reliable electoral bodies that citizens regard as independent and credible are a crucial element in a democracy. In that regard, the work of the CNE in this election process, particularly that of its president and members, as well as its technical and administrative staff, merit special recognition, as do the thousands of citizens who were involved in its organization and logistics. A word of appreciation should also go to the armed forces and national police for their work to safeguard security on election day.

Building democracy demands constant effort and clearly there are and always will be areas for improvement in an electoral system. The delegation reiterates the readiness of the OAS to continue and to broaden its collaboration with the CNE, in order to carry on improving and updating the electoral framework in Ecuador.

Finally, the delegation would like to thank the National Electoral Council and political actors for the arrangements made to facilitate its observation of the process, and offers sincere congratulations to the people of Ecuador on an exemplary display of civic responsibility.

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-062/14