Ecuador Electoral Court Sanctions Vice President Veronica Abad for Violations

2024-11-06 04:50:00

QUITO (AP) — Ecuador’s controversial electoral court on Tuesday slapped Vice President Veronica Abad with $8,500 in sanctions in response to a campaign against her for launching an early campaign as a candidate for mayor of Cuenca. Complaints about activities.

Ivonne Coloma, a judge at the agency, which is the country’s top body for resolving electoral disputes, said that after conducting a corresponding analysis, she determined that “it has been proven that the defendant carried out activities on her social networks “pre-campaign” as she accepted a reprimand and a fine “equivalent to a flat base salary of $20 ($8,500).”

The ruling also held that 2023 election irregularities were included in Ecuador’s electoral law.

Juan Esteban Guarderas, an adviser to the Civic Participation Commission, filed the lawsuit in May, and one of the possible sanctions would be to strip Abad of his political rights. That could have meant he would stop serving as vice president, but that didn’t happen.

Abad’s fate is particularly important for re-election-hungry President Daniel Noboa, meaning he will have to temporarily step down from office to run and take power in 2025. According to the constitution, Abad should be president, but there is obviously a distance between the two.

The relationship between the president and vice president has been fractured since the campaign, but the reasons are unclear. Noboa called her “disloyal,” while Abad assured that Noboa’s government was trying to force her to resign.

Amid the controversy, parliament in mid-June rejected a judge’s request to authorize criminal proceedings against Abad, who has jurisdiction over the prosecutor’s office asking him to take part in an investigation involving his son. case.

In the same case, the officer’s son, Francisco Barreiro, who had been detained in a maximum-security prison for nearly 45 days starting on March 21, was released after paying $20,000 bail.

The vice president subsequently accused Noboa and other government officials of gender-based political violence, but the charges were unsuccessful.

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**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Maria Solano on the Electoral Controversy Surrounding Ecuador’s Vice President Verónica Abad**

**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Solano. As⁤ we continue to follow the developments regarding Vice President Verónica Abad, can you explain the basis of the sanctions imposed on her by Ecuador’s electoral court?

**Dr. Solano:** Thank you for having ⁤me. The situation with Vice ⁣President Abad revolves ⁣around⁢ allegations that she prematurely‌ launched her‌ campaign for the​ mayoral race in ⁣Cuenca. The electoral court found‍ her actions to be in violation of campaign regulations, and as a result, they imposed a‍ fine of ⁣$8,500. This is significant as it highlights ⁤the contentious nature of Ecuadorian politics, especially ⁢with the current electoral ‌regulations in place.

**Interviewer:** There has ⁤been considerable public interest in Abad’s case. What do‍ you think this ⁣means for her political career moving forward?

**Dr. Solano:** This‍ controversy certainly puts her political future in jeopardy. While she has strong ‍support in some circles,​ these allegations ⁤can damage trust among voters. Depending on how she handles this situation and the‍ potential impact of further⁣ legal actions, she could find herself facing even bigger challenges, particularly if‍ she intends to run for ⁤office in the near future.

**Interviewer:** How do you see ⁣the public reacting to ⁣these sanctions and the broader implications for⁤ the current government?

**Dr. Solano:** Public reaction is mixed. Some see the sanctions as necessary to uphold‍ electoral integrity, while others view‍ it as a politically motivated attack against Abad, especially given ⁢the polarized nature of Ecuadorian politics. This situation may ‍further entrench divisions and could impact the government’s credibility and‍ ability ‌to ​govern effectively⁣ if more officials are embroiled in similar controversies.

**Interviewer:** how do you see the role of the electoral court in shaping the political landscape⁢ in Ecuador, especially in this⁣ case?

**Dr. Solano:** The electoral court⁢ holds significant power in shaping political dynamics. ⁢Its rulings‌ can influence‍ public perception of fairness in elections. In​ this ​instance, the court’s sanctions reflect its role as a gatekeeper. However, if the public perceives its decisions as biased or politically motivated, it could lead to greater mistrust in the electoral system itself. The⁤ court’s ​actions in high-profile cases like Abad’s will be‌ critical⁢ in defining its ‍legitimacy and ⁤authority moving forward.

**Interviewer:** Thank⁢ you for your insights, Dr.⁢ Solano. We appreciate your ⁣time ‍and expertise on this pressing issue.