Telematic voting is the option for Ecuadorians abroad

For the February 5, 2023 elections, Ecuadorians residing in other countries will be able to exercise their right to vote through telematic voting, a mechanism implemented by the National Electoral Council (CNE) with a view to reducing absenteeism abroad.

The telematic modality allows Ecuadorians abroad to exercise their right to vote through smartphones, computers or laptops with Internet.

This mechanism can be accessed by Ecuadorians abroad who are registered in any of the 52 electoral zones defined by the CNE. According to the organization, the beneficiaries are 97,100 voters residing in three constituencies: Canada and the United States; Europe, Oceania and Asia; and Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.

To access this vote, voters must have an identity card or passport, in addition to a smartphone, computer or tablet that has an Internet connection.

Process

The process consists of two phases: registration and voting. The first began in August 2022 and can be done until February 5, through the website www.voto-telematico.cne.gob.ec/

According to the CNE, registration lasts around four minutes, but in the system the voter has ten. The steps to follow are the following: enter the identity card or passport number; access authentication through facial recognition or security questions; and register the email and telephone number.

At the end of the process, the voter will receive an email confirming the registration for telematic voting abroad.

Voting will take place on Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 09:00 to 19:00, according to the time zone of each country. Voting will be allowed on the platform to elect the seven directors of the Council for Citizen Participation and Social Control (Cpccs). Once the vote has been made, the system will issue the digital certificate.

Reduce absenteeism

Voting for Ecuadorians abroad is optional, so most decide not to vote. The percentages of absenteeism in the last elections were more than 60%. Hence, the CNE has implemented this telematic option, with a view to reducing this trend.