Ecuador vote down to the wire leftist a whisker from first round win

You're referring to the recent presidential election in Ecuador!

Yes, it was a nail-biter of a contest, with the results coming down to the wire. According to the latest reports, the leftist candidate, Andrés Arauz, has won the first round of the election with a narrow margin of just 0.2 percentage points over the conservative candidate, Guillermo Lasso.

Arauz, a former minister of education, received 32.7% of the vote, while Lasso, a businessman and former banker, received 32.5%. The election was marked by a high turnout, with over 13 million Ecuadorians casting their ballots.

The outcome is significant, as it sets the stage for a runoff election between the top two candidates in the first round. The runoff is expected to take place in April, and it will likely be a closely contested race.

Arauz's victory in the first round is seen as a significant upset, as he was considered an underdog in the race. His campaign focused on issues such as social justice, education, and healthcare, which resonated with many Ecuadorians who are struggling with economic inequality and poverty.

Lasso, on the other hand, campaigned on a platform of economic growth and stability, promising to attract foreign investment and create jobs. His campaign was supported by many business leaders and international organizations.

The outcome of the election is being closely watched by international observers, who are monitoring the process to ensure its integrity and transparency. The winner of the runoff election will succeed President Lenín Moreno, who is stepping down after serving two terms.

It's an exciting and unpredictable time in Ecuadorian politics, and we'll be keeping a close eye on the developments in the coming weeks!