Azuay mayoral candidate disqualified over youth quota requirements

The Provincial Electoral Board (JPE) of Azuay has disqualified a mayoral candidate in the canton of El Pan for the upcoming November 2026 sectional elections. The candidate, backed by the Social Christian Party (PSC), failed to meet the mandatory youth inclusion requirements established by the Organic Electoral Law and of Political Organizations, also known as the Democracy Code.

Under these regulations, political organizations must ensure that 50% of leadership positions are held by women and that lists include at least 25% of youth between the ages of 18 and 29. Following this disqualification, five other candidacies for the mayoralty of El Pan remain valid, including those from the alliances Sembrando Oportunidades, Democracia en Marcha, En Equidad, Acción Democrática Nacional, and Participa.

Additionally, the JPE is managing the replacement of a candidate for a parish local government in Chordeleg following their death during the qualification process. While most candidacies for the Prefecture of Azuay and urban council seats in Cuenca have been finalized, the provincial qualification process remains open due to pending matters in El Pan.