Election day began with the impact of the news that had traveled throughout the country the night before: the candidate for mayor of Puerto López, Manabí, was killed, becoming the second candidate to become a victim in the electoral phase.

This case arose when Ecuador should concentrate on the period of reflection, except for the fact that the electoral silence was completely disrespected on social networks and even during the ten hours of voting, but it is a particular point that the National Electoral Council declared incapable of control. Before the events in Puerto López, a candidate for mayor of Salinas, in the province of Santa Elena, was killed (January 21), and in Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas and Los Ríos, there were reports of gunshot or explosive attacks during the bell.

The democratic event, where voters must go to the polls to elect local authorities, the Council for Citizen Participation and Social Control and decide on a referendum, took place amid tension over these violent acts that were reproduced on social media between accusations against the candidates.

Sectional elections in Ecuador in 2023

In Manabí, a video of a group of hooded men confirming that they will clean up people connected to the drug trade began to be broadcast. Among those who shared the article on Twitter was Rep. Fernando Villavicencio.

It is worrisome that so-called vigilante groups are emerging, undercover persons pretending to be judges. Vaccinators, drug dealers, murderers and all criminals must be punished according to the strictness of the law.

It is unfortunate that distrust of some judges leads to support for those who promote justice into their own hands. The north cannot be lost, the authorities must react so that Ecuador does not continue to fall into the abyss of violence. Citizens expect criminals to be behind bars. Violence begets more violence, says an old and wise folk proverb. (OR)