Ecuador board denies qualification for Manabí prefecture candidate Luisa González

Luisa González's bid to become Prefect of Manabí, Ecuador, faces a significant hurdle after the Provincial Electoral Board denied her qualification. The decision also affects Gabriel Giler Reyes, her running mate for Vice Prefect. Both were nominated by the Pachakutik movement for the sectional elections scheduled for November 2026. The board's resolution, however, is not yet final and can be challenged through the electoral process's appeals system.

The provincial body accepted objections raised by representatives of the ADN and ABC alliances. The core of the objection lies in González and Giler allegedly not being current or recent permanent members of Pachakutik. Electoral regulations require candidates to have been active or permanent members for at least two years prior to nomination. This requirement forms the basis for the board's rejection of their candidacies.

Pachakutik has been granted a non-extendable 48-hour period to rectify or substitute the nominated candidates for Manabí's prefecture and vice prefecture. Following Pachakutik's response, the Provincial Electoral Board will make a final decision on whether to uphold the disqualification or approve the nominations. González herself has publicly questioned one of the objections, arguing that the documentation was improperly submitted and that constitutional provisions allow for the nomination of invited individuals, not just long-term members.

Supporters, including the Revolución Ciudadana party, have pledged to appeal the decision and insist on González's inscription. They are gathering information on other candidates and urging the National Electoral Council to expedite pending notifications. If the Provincial Electoral Board maintains its refusal, the case can be escalated to the CNE, and potentially further legal avenues if necessary.

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We are going to appeal and we are going to demand the inscription of Luisa González's candidacy as appropriate, because there is no reason not to do so.