Ecuador Elections Enter Final Stage

Correa

Quito
Oct 6
Ecuadorian candidates are fine-tuning their final campaigns for the October 15 presidential elections in important cities and provinces, hoping to convince the undecided.

Most of the candidates have planned their last rallies in Guayaquil, Quito, Cuenca and Manabi, with their significant number of potential votes.

Leon Roldos (Red Democratica), with most of his support from people over 50 and with little to offer except governing without confrontation, seems unlikely to make it to a second round. Roldos will be campaigning in Quito at the same time as Ramiro Gonzalez (Izquierda Democratica Coalition).

Rafael Correa (leftist Alianza Pais), favored in the polls, calls for profound changes to end neoliberalism and join South American integration.

The ex economy minister enjoys support from young people, including university students, as well as the social and popular movements that helped topple President Lucio Gutierrez in April 2005.

His radical stand frightens the conservative forces, who are considered to have become rich at the expense of the workers.

Local analysts say the conservatives plan to vote for millionaire businessman Alvaro Noboa, due to the declining popularity of Social Christian Cynthia Viteri, if Noboa reaches the runoff.

Noboa (Renovador Institucional Party-Prian), has won support by touring the slums with gifts, handouts and fantastic promises to create one million jobs.

The conservatives are already working to prevent Correa"s win and if the Prian reaches the runoff, it will enjoy broad support from the business sectors.