First weekend in election campaign and candidates do not waste time

Last Friday, the electoral campaign for the February 17 elections began and the eight candidates aspiring to the Presidency of the Republic have already established themselves strategically in different provinces of Ecuador to expand their message and gain the popularity they need to win the Carondelet race.

Lucio Gutierrez – Partido Sociedad Patriotica (PSP)

Lucio Gutierrez

The former president, seeking re-election, began his journey in Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas.

He spoke of his proposals, such as creating jobs and reopens the university entrance as he greeted people who came out to meet him. Tricycles, taxi drivers and even mimes accompanied the candidate while two policemen led the caravan on their motorcycles.

Alvaro Noboa – Partido Renovador Institucional Accion Nacional (PRIAN)

Alvaro Noboa

Lawyer Alvaro Noboa, PRIAN presidential candidate began his campaign in the province of El Oro touring the districts of Santa Rosa, Pasaje and Machala.

PRIAN leader said to the media, he was second in the polls with 26.51 percent, approaching Correa who has 32 percent. Noboa insisted on his employment proposal to end poverty.

Nelson Zavala – Partido Roldosista Ecuatoriano (PRE)

Nelson Zavala

The late candidate of PRE began his journey in the province of Esmeraldas.

Using his characteristic religious sermons, the candidate toured the Quininde canton to reach a stage in which he said that he will include the canton in his proposed agricultural industrialization plan.

Alberto Acosta – Coordinador de las Izquierdas (MPD – Pachakutik)

Alberto Acosta

Loja province was the first destination of the candidate of the lefties, who toured the city of Loja cycling with his supporters.

After the tour, Acosta was pleased with the reception of the people and reaffirmed his intention to oversee the work of the current government if he becomes president.

Guillermo Lasso – Creando Oportunidades (CREO)

Guillermo Lasso

With the company of Jaime Nebot, the presidential candidate of CREO chose Guayaquil as his first stop; along with his caravan, he toured three cantons of Guayas: Millagro, Naranjito and El Triunfo.

Lasso, as he toured the cantons, reiterated his offer to eliminate the tax on land.

Mauricio Rodas – Sociedad Unida Mas Accion (SUMA)

Mauricio Rodas

Rodas, considered the new face of politics in Ecuador, decided to start his campaign in the city of Latacunga, Cotopaxi province.

With a convoy of at least 50 vehicles, the young candidate greeted the merchants and then placed on a platform in the central park of San Felipe to discuss his political proposal.

Norman Wray – Ruptura 25

Norman Wray

The former member of the ruling party and presidential candidate of Ruptura, began his campaign in Cuenca where he toured markets greeting vendors.

Wray also dedicated the weekend to record spots to be transmitted in the state-funded slots in the media. These spots summarize the contents of his government plan.

Rafael Correa – Alianza Patria Altiva I Soberana (Alianza PAIS)

Rafael Correa

The current president, using his campaign license approved by the National Assembly, began his tour at Portoviejo to later move to Duran.

The convoy, consisting of about 140 vehicles and the “Correa-movil” which was a metal truck with a printed legend “El Viejo Luchador” on it, greeted all residents in his path along with his binomial, Jorge Glas, while handing out T-shirts with the logo of his movement.