Election commission’s decision to change election dates based on a weather forecast sparks an uproar

While the National Electoral Council defends its decision to bring forward regional elections from February 14, 2027 to November 29, 2026, some critics are calling it an “act against democracy.”

The National Electoral Council voted Friday to bring forward regional elections from February 14, 2027 to November 29, 2026 due to the threat of El Niño.

“This is the responsible thing to do,” CNE president Diana Atamaint said Friday, following the commission’s decision to reschedule the election for mayors, prefects and local boards and commissions. “The National Risk Management office advises us that the country faces a very strong El Niño weather system next year, with heavy rain and possible flooding, and changing the dates assures us of conducting a smooth and fair election.”

In addition to moving the election to late November, the CNE also voted to bring forward the candidate registration period and to shorten the length of the campaign, from 30 to 15 days.

Medardo Oleas, former president of the Electoral Tribunal, the predecessor of CNE, is calling the election change “legal barbarity,” and says the intent is to make it more difficult for opponents of the government to win. “This manipulation of the election schedule, based on a weather forecast almost a year in the future is unprecedented and I predict it will be found unconstitutional by the court.”

CNE’s decision is also being challenged by meteorologists at the National Meteorological Institute. “I do not know who advised Risk Management about the El Niño and recommended changing the election, but it was not us,” said an institute forecaster who asked not to be identified. “Beyond advising that we prepare for all possible scenarios, forecasting the full impact of the El Niño a year ahead is not possible.”

Other critics of the CNE decision claim the date change is aimed specifically at potential candidates of the Citizens Revolution movement. Newspaper columnist Lolo Echeverría says the date change and shortened campaign schedule favors President Daniel Noboa’s National Democratic Action (ADN) party. “There is no doubt this favors the government and puts the opposition, especially the Citizens Revolution, at a disadvantage,” he said.

Echeverría also questioned that fact that it was the Risk Management office, a branch of the government, that advised CNE to change the election dates.

On Saturday, the Social Christian Party also objected to the change of date and said it planned to file a challenge with the Constitutional Court.

CNE’s Atamaint responded to criticism, saying the new election schedule does not favor one political movement over another. “All candidates will be affected equally,” she said. “Let them say what they have to say, but they should read the Code of Democracy well,” she added.