Ecuador's electoral council replaces Manabí director amid meeting probe

The National Electoral Council (CNE) in Ecuador has removed Roberto Pinoargote from his position as the electoral director of Manabí. This action comes after the CNE announced it would investigate alleged images circulating on social media. These images reportedly show Pinoargote meeting with Marcos Zambrano, a candidate for Prefect representing the Acción Democrática Nacional (ADN) party, at a hotel in the province.

The controversy intensified when the Manabí Electoral Board denied the candidacy of Luisa González for the Pachakutik party. The CNE president, José Cabrera, stated that provincial directors are appointed by the full council and that Pinoargote has 30 years of experience. Cabrera confirmed that the situation was being analyzed and measures would be taken. Pinoargote reportedly told Cabrera that the meeting was a personal visit to a hotel owner and a mere coincidence.

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We are analyzing the situation and will take measures. The full council will then make a pronouncement.

This personnel change is part of broader updates within the CNE, which also saw changes in the provincial electoral boards of Cotopaxi, Imbabura, and Orellana. The council is actively working on its electoral calendar for the sectional elections scheduled for November 29, 2026. As of Wednesday, over a thousand candidacies have been confirmed. The CNE recently signed an agreement with the Financial Analysis and Economic Unit (UAFE) to enhance the oversight of campaign finances. Key dates include the selection of members for the Vote Receiving Boards on September 2, the official list of registered candidacies on November 9, and the election campaign period from November 12 to November 26.

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I went to a personal meeting with the owner of a hotel and nothing more, it was a coincidence.