The Associated Pest

Quito, Ecuador-

Last minute campaigning is in full swing for the election of Assambleistas in Ecuador, a nation aptly named for its position at the world’s equatorial center. This is the first public election of Assambleistas in this country, and it offered me some intriguing insights into the dichotomy of emerging Latin America and our own US political processes.

“Gabe gets a first-hand taste of
the Ecuadorian political process”

The new Assambleista’s primary task will be drafting a new constitution for the nation. In the past Assambleistas were appointed by the president, so an election of such a political body is a large step forward for democracy.

We are in the midst of primary season here in the US. At the time of this article there are 11 Republican and 8 Democrat hopefuls for the presidency. There will, no doubt, be a few independents worth mentioning, but we more or less have a very manageable number to work with. As for our Senate and Congressional elections, we generally have a handful of real candidates to choose from per seat.

In contrast, there are 624 candidates running for 24 available Nacional Assambleista seats in Ecuador. Each of the 26 political parties run 24 candidates for the 24 possible spots.

Unlike the US, where we elect 2 senators per state, and campaigning is much more local, voters in Ecuador will choose from candidates all over the country. This makes each potential candidate’s campaign a difficult task, as they must tour the entire country trying to win votes. It also makes grass roots campaigning a vital componenet. I participated in such a grass roots campaign (pictured) to get a feel for what it was like. I passed out flyers and waved flags for Santiago Guarderas, a candidate for the MFE party (Movimiento Fuerza Ecuador). This translates to the Movement Force of Ecuador. Pretty cool name! I didn’t last long as a “gringo” in a foreign political process, but it was fun none the less (a couple of people took my flyers).

Whereas November polling in the US electoral process is as traditional as a turkey dinner, it is non existant for such an election in Ecuador. And, of course, with 624 nominees it would be a vastly futile exercise. There will be no way to judge voter sentiment until the polls are closed on the evening of September 30th.

Colorful street parades, door to door knocking, billboards, and flag waving from street corners are the main tools of the nominees. There are of course radio interviews and television announcements, but they are not as bombarded by the media as we are.

“A campaign street parade
in Centro de Quito”

The campaign period is very strict, and I tip my cap to this structure. Assambleista candidates have had just under two months of time to wage their campaigns, while the US is starting earlier and earlier each year it seems. I have been hearing Hillary, Giuliani, Obama, and others for nearly a year and a half and maybe longer. Internet gambling sites have been giving odds on the ‘08 US presidential winner for almost two years! It’s getting really absurd. We are losing focus of the issues at hand while concentrating on future politician’s policy. But this is a discussion for another blog. . .

“The Guarderas family campaigns
at Camino la Libertad
y Colinas del norte”

I wish good luck to all 624 candidates and look forward to seeing the results! I also would like to hear your comments on the process in Ecuador, as well as our own here in the US.

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