Electoral judge denies appeal to activate recall referendum against Ecuador's Daniel Noboa

Ecuador's Electoral Tribunal has shut down a bid to initiate a recall referendum against President Daniel Noboa. Judge Joaquín Viteri rejected an appeal lodged by Washington Andrade and Leonidas Iza, who sought to overturn the National Electoral Council's (CNE) refusal to provide them with the necessary forms to collect signatures.

Viteri's ruling affirmed that the CNE's decisions adhered to applicable procedures. Consequently, the decision preventing the signature-gathering phase remains in effect. The appeal aimed to have the Electoral Tribunal review the CNE's denial and allow the recall process to proceed.

The initiative originated from Andrade and Iza's request for recall petition forms. On July 15, 2026, the CNE unanimously denied this request, citing the applicants' failure to substantiate claims of President Noboa's non-compliance with his work plan. Both the Constitution and the Electoral Code mandate such justification for a recall request to advance.

With the Electoral Tribunal's decision, the recall process is stalled before the crucial stage of collecting citizen support. Andrade and Iza are now unable to begin gathering signatures using the forms denied by the CNE. The case reached the electoral court after the promoters challenged the CNE's resolution.