Ecuadorian Assembly Approves Bill on Elections

Yesterday, the National Assembly approved with 63 votes the reform bill draft to the Organic Law on Elections and Political Organizations, from the Code of Democracy.

The main changes comprise:

-Election of the Assembly members in the first round along with the presidential to increase participation of political organizations and ensures equal opportunities in the race.

-Change of method D’Hare, according to the Code of Democracy, by the D’Hondt system, which favors the political parties and movements with more voting.

-The use of licenses in case of reelection. The Commission determined that remaining in office and asks for permission when they see fit during the election and not 45 days before the election, as required the current code.

-Control of advertising in public institutions.

A new change in this project was the establishment of the figure of political harassment to protect the integrity and the exercise of public office for women. Maria Soledad Vela Assemblywoman (Alianza País party), proposed the inclusion of political harassment as grounds for dismissal and the suspension of political rights for those that incur in offenses.

(BG)