Ecuador Opposition Says Noboa and the Courts Are Blocking Them From November’s Elections

On 24 August, Ecuador's main opposition coalition, Alianza Ciudadana, accused President Daniel Noboa and the country's judiciary of intentionally blocking their strongest candidates from participating in November's local elections. This coalition, which unites four left-leaning parties including Revolución Ciudadana, is the largest opposition force in the country. President Noboa's government and the courts are accused of working together to ensure opposition parties and candidates are excluded from the ballot.

The opposition coalition's claims are based on a series of decisions made since March. In March, an electoral judge suspended Revolución Ciudadana for nine months, without giving the party the opportunity to defend itself. In April, the National Electoral Council (CNE) dissolved two other opposition parties, Construye and Unidad Popular, for failing to meet reporting requirements for membership records.

In July, the Contentious Electoral Tribunal (TCE) temporarily suspended the Amigo party, barring it from the November vote.

The latest accusation involves Portoviejo, the capital of Manabí province. The opposition coalition demanded the removal of the electoral delegate in this province after he was seen meeting with a candidate from Daniel Noboa's ADN party for the Guayas prefecture. The same province also saw opposition presidential candidate Luisa González blocked from registration by ruling-party representatives.

Revolución Ciudadana's president, Gabriela Rivadeneira, vowed to use all available legal, institutional, political, and social channels to challenge the government's actions. The right to choose the government, she emphasized, is at stake in these elections.

Ecuador's election date was moved up from February to November 2026 due to predictions of a strong El Niño weather event, reducing the official campaign period from approximately 45 days to about 15 days. Analysts from the Washington think tank Inter-American Dialogue argue that both this date change and the suspensions of opposition parties favor the governing party.

The elections will choose prefects, mayors, councillors, and members of a citizens' council responsible for appointing key officials such as the attorney general, comptroller, and electoral authorities themselves. Voting is scheduled for 29 November, with the final ballot list due on 9 November.

Ecuador's opposition coalition rejects the government's explanation, stating that their decisions are grounded in party law and reporting duties, and not motivated by political interests. However, critics question the speed with which the suspensions were carried out, as well as the lack of opportunity for opposition parties to present their defense.

President Noboa's government is also grappling with a significant security issue. The homicide rate has risen from 5.8 per 100,000 in 2017 to over 50, and his hardline policies have retained a loyal base of roughly a third of voters. However, his popularity has declined, and voters rejected his constitutional reform and the idea of foreign military bases in a referendum last November. This defeat hangs over every decision made since then.

The final ballot list is expected on 9 November, and whether opposition leaders Luisa González and Quito mayor Pabel Muñoz appear on the list will determine the course of the campaign. The coalition's threat to seek international intervention, such as appealing to the Organization of American States or the Inter-American Commission, could further escalate the democratic crisis in Ecuador.