There was little drama Sunday night as the results of Ecuador’s referendum election were announced. As expected, Ecuadorians voted “yes” by overwhelming margins to all seven questions presented by President Lenin Moreno.
President Lenin Moreno and National Assembly President Jose Serrano. (El Telegrafo)
“Ecuador will no longer be a playground for corrupt officials who would take advantage of the public trust,” he said. “Neither will it tolerate politicians who want to stay in power forever.”
With about 80% of the returns counted, voters rejected the possibility of former president Rafael Correa returning to power by a 65 percent to 35 percent margin.
In the other major issues on the ballot, voters approved a ban on those convicted of corruption from serving in public office, 74 percent to 26 percent; approved the restructuring of a commission with executive authority, 63 percent to 37 percent; and voted to repeal a capital gains tax enacted by Correa, 62.5 percent to 37.5 percent.
Moreno thanked voters for providing a “resounding victory and a mandate” to move the country forward. “Democracy triumphed today confirming my faith in the voters of Ecuador,” he said
Early in the evening, Correa blasted the election as a “corrupt, manipulated farce.”
