Ecuador: Election Drive at Final Stage

The 13 Presidential candidates in Ecuador are hurrying to campaign for more voters with a deadline set for Thursday.

None have thrown in the towel though polls limit hopes to four candidates and predict 40 percent undecided.

The polls indicate Social Christian candidate Cynthia Viteri, supporter of free trade and opening the market to private capital, in fourth place.

Contender Leon Roldos (Red Democratica-Izquierda Democratica Alliance) who calls to vote for positive change, governability and peace, shares second place with millionaire Alvaro Noboa.

Noboa is running for the third time but has been charged by Catholic Bishop Nestor Herrera of cajoling the poor with religious phrases.

The most popular candidate, Rafael Correa (Alianza Pais) called for people not to accept luring promises and choose for radical changes through a Constituency Assembly.

Other candidates are Luis Macas (Pachakutik indigenous movement) and Luis Villacís (Movimiento Popular Democratico).