The Government assured that they would go to the polls three times for the Constituent Assembly.
Carolina Jaramillo
porEditorial Team
Ecuador
The spokesperson indicated that after the constitutional evaluation, the consultation, the election of constituents, and the referendum to approve the new text would follow
President Daniel Noboa sent a decree to the National Electoral Council (CNE) to call for a popular referendum on the Constituent Assembly, although that legal procedure was supposed to go first through the Constitutional Court. Spokesperson Carolina Jaramillo said there was no breach of procedure and that everything would be done according to the established process.
In her statement, Jaramillo stated that "the plan is to go to the polls three times" if the Court's ruling is favorable. The first vote would be the popular referendum, followed by the election of the constituent members, and finally a referendum to approve the new Constitution.
The procedure before the Court involved reviewing the recitals, the proposed question, and the operating statute of the Constituent Assembly, all included in the attached decree. Once a favorable ruling is issued, the CNE will call for the referendum within the required timeframes.
El Pleno de la Asamble NacionalThe Government stated that this roadmap aims to address serious structural problems such as the security crisis, prison riots, and what they described as a loss of public trust in judicial bodies and the political system. According to Noboa, those crises required deep reforms.
The proposal also raised concerns among social and political sectors that believed calling directly without consensus could deepen polarization. However, allies stated that the Constituent Assembly represented an opportunity to renew institutions.
Jaramillo argued that by sending the decree to the CNE, the Executive acted within the legal framework, while waiting for the Constitutional Court to confirm the constitutionality of the call. She also insisted that Ecuadorians expect actions beyond speeches.
In conclusion, Noboa's plan to carry out three separate votes reflected his commitment to institutionalize change with public support. If the Court approves, a path will open to decide on the Constituent Assembly, draft a new Constitution, and approve it through a referendum, marking an institutional turning point.
