Quito, May 18 (RHC)-- Ecuador's National Electoral Council (CNE) reported Wednesday that the deadline to call new legislative and presidential elections expires in seven days.   The president of the CNE, Diana Atamaint, said in a press conference that "as of tomorrow begins the seven-day term to make the call, that is, the term to call expires on May 24, 2023."

The electoral process will last 90 days, said Atamaint while pointing out that until May 24, the Council must have an electoral calendar that must be approved by the plenary of the National Electoral Council.

Those elected in this electoral process will serve until May 23, 2025, completing the current term.

The CNE ratifies to the Ecuadorian people its "commitment to carry out an efficient and transparent electoral process," said Atamaint.  According to the president of the CNE, they are working on the elaboration of a specific regulation for this extraordinary electoral process, in which the institution seeks to adhere to the Law and the Constitution and provide citizens with the necessary information.

Previously, President Guillermo Lasso decreed the "cross death" and dissolved the National Assembly. He made such a decision while an impeachment trial against him for alleged embezzlement was being held in the parliament.

According to Article 148 of the Ecuadorian Constitution: "Until the installation of the new National Assembly, the President of the Republic may, prior to the favorable opinion of the Constitutional Court, issue decrees laws of economic urgency, which may be approved or repealed by the legislative body."