American Marconi Wireless News - Ecuador electoral council rejects claims of fraud in presidential vote

Gonzalez has refused to accept the outcome of Sunday's runoff vote that Noboa won with 55.6 percent of votes cast compared to her own weaker-than-expected 44.4 percent.

She had said she would seek a recount, but has not yet made a formal request, according to the CNE.

CNE president Diana Atamaint insisted in an interview with Teleamazonas Tuesday that the process had been "totally transparent."

Observers from the Organization of American States and European Union have also ruled out irregularities in the runoff round that saw Noboa, 37, declared the winner three hours after polls closed.

The CNE will announce the final, official results in the coming days for Noboa to be sworn in on May 24 for a four-year term.

In office since November 2023, Noboa has enjoyed a short but intense first stint as president, marked by his war on gangs and a drought-related energy crisis.

He had been elected to complete the four-year term of predecessor Guillermo Lasso, who called a snap vote to avoid impeachment for alleged embezzlement.

Now re-elected, Noboa faces a herculean task in uniting his violence-plagued nation, which averaged a killing every hour at the start of the year as cartels vie for control over cocaine routes that pass through Ecuador's ports.

O.Norris--AMWN