Azuay Province sees seven candidates vying for 2026 prefecture race

Seven political organisations have announced their precandidates for the 2026 Azuay Prefecture election in Ecuador. The lineup includes Fernanda Chica (Amigo, allied with Revolución Ciudadana), former Paute mayor Raúl Delgado (Nueva Generación), indigenous leader Ángel Cartuche (Pachakutik), left‑wing activist Sebastián Cevallos (Unidad Popular), Omar Álvarez (the Cuencanos como Vos alliance of Participa and Renace), ex‑councillor Paolo Carpio (Acción Democrática Nacional) and Teodoro Montesinos (a SUMA‑Centro Democrático coalition). All aspirants must submit their candidacy files to the Consejo Nacional Electoral between 2 and 17 August 2026 for validation. After the CNE’s qualification, the official campaign period runs from 12 to 26 November, with voting scheduled for 29 November 2026 and the new government to assume office on 14 May 2027. The election date was advanced by the CNE in response to El Niño‑related concerns. The prefecture will oversee provincial responsibilities such as rural road maintenance, irrigation, productive development, environmental management and coordination with municipal and parish governments.