Polling stations close in Ecuador as Andres Arauz leads unofficial results

Quito, February 7 (RHC)-- Ecuador's electoral authorities closed polling stations Sunday, despite the fact that there were still citizens lining up and waiting to exercise their right to vote.

The president of the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Ecuador, Diana Atamaint, informed during the second balance of the electoral day that the closing of the polling stations was scheduled for 17H00 (local time), despite the long lines of voters and the slowness with which the process was developed. 

CNE counselor José Cabrera Zurita informed in the second balance of the electoral day that citizens who have not been able to vote would not be sanctioned; and for this, they must request the "certificate of presentation" in the electoral precinct.

Likewise, citizens denounced to the media the lack of security in the electoral stations and the disrespect to the social distancing between the members of the polling stations in several precincts of the capital of the country.