Leftist Luisa Gonzalez is narrowly leading incumbent President Daniel Noboa in two polls ahead of the April 13 run-off race for the presidency of Ecuador, following Noboa's victory in the first round.
Gonzalez, a protege of former President Rafael Correa, garnered 51.4% of voting intention in a Negocios & Estrategias poll of approximately 3,000 voters conducted from March 24 to March 26, with a margin of error of 1.8%. Noboa trailed closely behind with 48.6%, placing the two in a technical tie.
Additionally, a poll by Pedro Cango, conducted between March 25 and March 30, showed Gonzalez leading with 51.9% of voting intention compared to Noboa's 48.1%. This survey included over 5,400 Ecuadoreans and had a margin of error of 1.5%.
Noboa, 37, took office in November 2023 to complete the term of his predecessor Guillermo Lasso, who dissolved Congress to avoid a vote to remove him from office. In the first round of presidential voting in February, Noboa edged out Gonzalez by less than 1%, a margin of under 17,000 votes.
"Every little bit counts, and it wouldn't be surprising if we get to election day with a quite narrow gap," said Ivan Sierra, director of Negocios & Estrategias. "There is still room for what candidates may have in store, and there is also room for mistakes."
Both polls were authorized by the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Ecuador.