Dry law, campaign ‘quiet period’ go into effect before Sunday’s referendum election

Ecuador’s election protocols went into effect at midnight Thursday with the prohibition on campaigning ahead of Sunday’s referendum election. The dry law, prohibiting the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, begins at noon Friday and remains in effect until noon Monday.

President Daniel Noboa takes a selfie with supporters in Quito Thursday hours before the pre-election “quiet period” rules took effect.

Voting on President Daniel Noboa’s four questions began Thursday for 9,000 prisoners who are awaiting trial. Prisoners convicted of crimes are prohibited from voting. The vote was conducted at prisons and jails in 20 of the country’s 24 provinces by election volunteers.

On Friday, volunteers will take ballots to the homes of 600 disabled and elderly persons unable to travel to voting stations Sunday.

Both the campaign “quite period” rule and the dry law have come under attack in recent elections, by both elected officials and political commentators. Television commentator Nelson Carillo calls the rules “out of date and insulting.”

“The rule against campaigning 48 hours before an election is based on the media of ten years ago,” Carillo says. “Today, most people, especially young people, get their news and information from the internet and the rule only applies to newspaper, radio and tv advertising. Social media continues to churn out the propaganda even as people go to the polls.”

As for the dry law, Carillo says the government should not dictate personal behavior. “If voters don’t behave themselves at the polls, there are other ways to deal with them. Besides that, the law is almost impossible to enforce.”

He adds that the law puts an unfair financial burden on restaurants and bars.