Presidential debate produces few surprises while its format is criticized by both experts and candidates

Notable for the fact that the two leading candidates, President Daniel Noboa and Citizens Revolution’s Luisa González, did not share the same stage, Sunday night’s presidential debate provided few surprises. According to post-debate media commentary, the event suffered from an awkward format that divided 16 candidates into two groups and lasted more than three-and-a-half hours.

Sunday night’s presidential debate was divided into two sessions.

Even the candidates complained that the debate structure limited serious discussion and tended to shield Noboa from criticism. “This is not a debate, it’s a caricature,” was how Socialist Party candidate Pedro Granja put it.

One of the night’s biggest dramas was settled early when Noboa showed up for the first session. Social media was abuzz with reports that Noboa would skip the debate since he planned to attend the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump Monday in the U.S. “The story was another example of the desperation and absurdity of the opposition’s attacks on me,” Noboa said as he entered the Ecuador TV debate studio in Quito.

In the debate, Noboa was the target of charges by his opponents for failing to reduce crime, mismanaging the energy crisis and violating constitutional campaign rules. The name of former president Rafael Correa, who was not on the stage or even in the country, was invoked on several occasions as he was accused of allowing criminals into the country and colluding with Colombian terrorists.

The debate questions, presented by two journalists, focused on three themes: security and crime prevention; efficiency of public services; and economic growth and job creation.

On questions of confronting crime, candidates proposed a variety of new approaches and criticized Noboa for the failure of his Phoenix Plan. Jimmy Jairala proposed militarizing prisons, ports and customs, reinforcing security on the northern and southern borders.

Luis Felipe Tilleria and Juan Cueva said the Armed Forces’ role in law enforcement should be made permanent. “What the president has done so far has been weak and inadequate and the military’s role should be strengthened,” Cueva said.

Enrique Gómez proposed the use of artificial intelligence in law enforcement and suggested more scrutiny of judges who release criminal suspects.

Luisa González blamed the spread of crime on weak public institutions, and said technology should be used to gather intelligence on criminal gangs.

Noboa defended his crime fighting record, claiming violent deaths have been reduced by 15% since he took office.

On questions about public services, several candidates attacked the government’s response to the energy crisis and suggested the private sector should be given incentives to enter the country’s power generation market.

Henry Cucalón proposed the energy sector be “opened up” to private national and foreign private investment, suggesting that the public sector, including the president’s office, have “failed” to adequately plan for growing energy demand.

Jorge Escala blamed Noboa for the loss of 240,000 jobs as a result of electric blackouts, claiming the president ignored expert advice about handling the crisis.

Noboa responded, saying his critics “know nothing” about efforts his government made to moderate the impact of the blackouts. He agreed the private sector must be included in the effort to improve power generation infrastructure. “Yes, I have said all along that we need private expertise and investment to improve the system,” he said.

Following the debate, political commentators lamented the fact that Noboa and Luisa González were not in the same debate session. “Let’s be honest that this is a race between González and Noboa,” said radio show host and former Assemblyman Hector Lopez. “I understand that they had to divide the debate because of the number of candidates, but they should have put those two on the same stage. As it was, there was very little to engage voters and we got what we expected, which was mostly boring.”