Partial recount of Ecuador vote results approved

Ecuador's National Electoral Council (CNE) on Friday approved a partial recount of votes from disputed first round of February 7 presidential election. Candidates Guillermo Lasso and Yaku Pérez, who have been in close race for second and final place in an April ruff, met with CNE officials to call for a recount to remove any suspicion over alleged irregularities.

CNE President Diana Atamaint said all votes in Guayas province would be reviewed as well as 50% of ballots in 16 or provinces. Former banker Lasso, of Creating Opportunities party, and Pérez, who represents Indigeus Pachakutik party, have been in a tight battle for chance to face frontrunner Andrés Arauz in April 11 ruff.

During Friday's meeting, which was held in presence of delegates from Organization of American States, Pérez presented evidence of irregularities during vote counting process. Lasso was open to Pérez's objections, saying he agreed on need for transparency, but did t support a full recount.

Preliminary results of last Sunday's vote saw Arauz winning clearly, followed by Lasso on 19.74% and Pérez on 19.38%. As of Sunday, CNE has 10 days to process results to finalise ruff candidates to determine successor to President Lenín More.