While many Correistas accept Sunday’s election results, González, Correa and others claim fraud

Leaders of the Citizens Revolution party are divided over President Daniel Noboa’s victory in Sunday’s runoff, with many accepting the results, saying it’s “time to move on,” while defeated candidate Luisa González and godfather of the Correista movement Rafael Correa claim the results are fraudulent.

Luisa González

Citizens Revolution mayors of Quito and Guayaquil accepted the defeat Sunday night, saying they would work to improve relations with Noboa for the “common good” of their cities.

“The people have made their decision, and it must be respected,” Guayaquil Mayor Aquiles Álvarez posted on his X account as vote counting concluded. “Regardless of whether we like it or not, the people elected him [Noboa] democratically and we must be honest in recognizing it. The worst thing is to be a bad loser.”

Quito Mayor Pabel Muñoz, also posting on X, said the results “must be accepted for the good of the citizens of this city.” He added: “The democratic process demands we recognize the voting results as announced by the CNE [National Electoral Council]. For many years, Ecuador has had a reputation of conducting fair and honest elections and I see no reason this is not the case today.”

Muñoz said, however, that he “fully supports investigating all inconsistencies” that occurred on election day. “This is part of free and fair elections.”

Meanwhile, González continued on Monday to press her claim that the election was fraudulent, “manipulated by the government and the CNE.” She was supported by former president Correa and former presidential candidate Andrés Arauz.

“I absolutely refuse to believe these results,” González said Monday. “On behalf of all the people united against violence and lies, we will ask for a recount and for all voting records to be opened. We have witnessed a terrible abuse of power and we will not allow the authorities of the CNE and the TCE to trample on the rights of Ecuadorian citizens.”

González asked, “How can all the polls showing us ahead be wrong?” citing several voter surveys she claims gave her a one- to seven-point lead over Noboa heading into the election.

Correa was more blunt, calling officers of the government and CNE “scoundrels” and saying he will enlist the support of “international justice” to overturn the election. “This is a mega-fraud since it is statistically impossible for Noboa to win by even one point, much less 10,” the former president posted on X. “Any expert knows that this result is impossible short of a cataclysm or illegality. It is almost the perfect crime, but this time they went too far and will pay in the end,” he said.

Many elected Citizens Revolution officials admitted “conflicted feelings” about the election, agreeing the results should be challenged but accepted following an investigation. “I don’t understand the reaction of an electorate that opted for Noboa when the Correista proposal was solid and well-structured,” said Cuenca municipal councilman Román Carabajo. “I am stunned by the result and support the effort for a recount.”

He added: “When that is done, and is done correctly, I will be the first to say we must accept the results and move on.”