The presidential elections, in which Luisa González, from the Civil Revolution movement, won in the first round, with 33.65% of the vote, followed by Daniel Noboa, from the National Democratic Action coalition (ADN), with 23.6%, could fail in the same deadline. the struggle for executive-legislative power that generated this process. Neither group achieved a legislative majority; The door remains open for pacts, alliances that could tighten that Gordian knot and further suffocate violent and polarized Ecuador.

Many criticize politicians for not fulfilling their promises, but before the new election day they are excited again. The act of citizenship turned into a love-hate relationship between politicians and voters who sought to appease their misfortunes with a dash on the ballot. Arguments break out again in corners, on social networks, in the family. Some evoke the 1980s and 1990s because, despite the chaos, the “come on piss…” fights in Congress didn’t cause as much outrage as they do now. Elections were fun. They went to vote as a family. Others yearn for former President Rafael Correa’s “conquered decade”, due to his good socioeconomic and security indicators. And there are those who prefer a fresh, young and conciliatory style. There is also fear, hatred in the name of sick democracy and a certain electoral apathy.

Read the latest news about the elections in Ecuador

In the presidential elections in 2021, out of a list of 13,107,457 people, 82.6% voted, with 17.4% absenteeism and 16.30% zero vote. In the first round of the recent election, the list increased to about 13,460,000 (the count is still being carried out at the time of sending this material), but the percentage of voters fell to about 80.6%. and absenteeism increased to 19.5% approx. (Perhaps because of so much insecurity and its climax in the assassination of candidate Fernando Villavicencio).

How to restore citizens’ trust in democracy and its institutions?

(…) They can set an example of how to reduce hatred by conducting a clean campaign, focused on plans and projects…

It is necessary to reverse that negative image of the Assembly, which is perceived as robbery, where votes no longer act on the basis of groups, but on the welfare of citizens. It is time for the political class to be able to generate the necessary agreements that tend to solve the country’s problems. The new president or representative will need enough skill to negotiate decrees and laws with the legislature for the good of the nation; Otherwise, there will be no controllability and recent history could repeat itself.

In addition, it is urgently necessary to invest in education, to create opportunities for adolescents and young people, to enchant them with the new democracy, which gives them the necessary tools not to be “easy prey” to propaganda and political hatred. The groups that will compete in the elections on October 15 can set an example of how to reduce hatred by conducting a clean campaign, focused on the plans and projects of their mandate. The next government will be under pressure to reduce violence, fight corruption, reactivate the economy, create jobs, rebuild the failed state and restore people’s confidence in their government. A difficult mission in a short time. (OR)