How youth, women could decide Ecuador’s next president

Two presidential candidates, Andres Arauz and Guillermo Lasso, begin final stretch of campaigning on Tuesday ahead of April runoff.

Quito, Ecuador – Ecuador’s two final presidential hopefuls are beginning the last stretch of the official election campaign on Tuesday, only weeks before voters return to the polls for an April 11 runoff. Economist Andres Arauz and former banker Guillermo Lasso will tour cities and towns across the country to spread their campaign messages. Arauz secured 32.72 percent support in last month’s closely fought first round of voting, compared to Lasso’s 19.74 percent – but with the candidates hitting the campaign trail yet again, experts say two specific groups of voters could hold the key to victory.