Ecuadorian Organizations Reject Noboa's Popular Consultation

 

Quito, Mar 11 (Prensa Latina) Ecuadorian political and popular organizations will form the National Front against the Popular Consultation and Referendum promoted by President Daniel Noboa, scheduled for next April 21st.

This Monday, the Communist Party of Ecuador, the Pachakutik movement and the Guevarista Movement will unite in rejection of the government initiative, whose official campaign is scheduled to take place from April 7th to 18th.

Ecuadorians must answer Yes or No to 10 questions proposed by Noboa, as well as a separate question regarding the participation of the Armed Forces in actions against insecurity on a permanent basis.

The questions that would entail modifications to the Constitution are related to the elimination of the prohibition of extradition of Ecuadorian persons, the incorporation of specialized judiciaries in constitutional matters, reforms to current laws on the control of weapons and ammunition by the Armed Forces, classification of crimes for possession of weapons, and the increase in penalties for terrorism or organized crime.

The National Electoral Council approved the promotion of the negative vote in the two proposals by the National Union of Educators, the Popular Unity Party, the General Union of Workers of Ecuador, as well as the Amigo and Pachakutik movements.

Analysts consider that the consultation seeks to generate legitimacy for Noboa’s security policy, which if successful, may catapult him in his intentions to run again as president in the February 2025 elections.

The Citizen Revolution movement issued a statement in which it considers the government initiative unnecessary, because most of the proposals can be processed in the National Assembly without having to spend a million-dollar process.