Ecuador prepares for sectional elections and candidate debates

Ecuador is preparing for sectional elections scheduled for November 29, with the National Electoral Council (CNE) organizing approximately 45 debates for mayoral and prefectural candidates. These debates are mandatory in jurisdictions with more than 100,000 voters and will take place between November 12 and 26.

In the Azuay province, the electoral landscape is becoming defined with 90 mayoral candidacies registered as of August 17, 2026. Six cantons feature candidates seeking reelection: Cristian Ochoa in Girón, Paulo Cantos in Guachapala, Adrián Berrezueta in Pucará, Anabel Lalvay in Santa Isabel, Byron Rubio in Sevilla de Oro, and David Duchitanga in Sígsig.

Political tensions remain high in certain regions. In Camilo Ponce Enríquez, former mayor Elías Baldor Bermeo Cabrera was detained during an operation involving the Police and Prosecutor's Office due to investigations into alleged money laundering, illegal mining, and links to the ‘Los Lobos’ criminal group. In Cuenca, the political situation shifted following the removal of Mayor Cristian Zamora due to a complaint of political gender violence.