Ecuador Enters Election Season: CNE Declares Start of Electoral Period for 2027 Local Races

Campaign season has officially begun — sort of.

The Declaration

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, the plenary of Ecuador's Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE — National Electoral Council) voted unanimously to declare the start of the electoral period for the country's next round of seccional (local/municipal) elections.

The virtual session was presided over by CNE President Diana Atamaint and sets in motion a year-long process that will culminate in voting on Sunday, February 14, 2027.

What's Being Elected

These are Ecuador's local and regional elections — the positions that affect daily life in expat communities more than any other:

| Position | Description | |----------|-------------| | Prefectos/as | Provincial governors — oversee roads, rural infrastructure, environmental policy | | Alcaldes/as | City mayors — manage urban services, transit, zoning, water, public safety | | Concejales/as | City council members — legislate local ordinances and budgets | | Vocales de Juntas Parroquiales | Rural parish board members — govern smaller communities | | Consejeros/as del CPCCS | Members of the Consejo de Participación Ciudadana y Control Social (Council for Public Participation and Social Control) — an oversight body |

All elected officials will serve the 2027–2031 term.

The Calendar

The CNE approved the following timeline:

| Milestone | Date | |-----------|------| | Electoral period begins | February 14, 2026 | | Address changes & voter registration | April 14 – May 13, 2026 | | Final voter roll published | July 31, 2026 | | Official election call (convocatoria) | August 29, 2026 | | Candidate registration | August 31 – September 29, 2026 | | Official candidate list | January 10, 2027 | | Campaign period | January 13 – February 11, 2027 | | Electoral debates | January 16 – 31, 2027 | | Electoral silence | February 12 – 14, 2027 | | Homebound voting | February 12, 2027 | | Election Day | February 14, 2027 | | Provincial vote counting | February 15 – 24, 2027 | | Final results certified | By April 5, 2027 | | Elected officials take office | May 14, 2027 |

Why This Matters Now

The start of the electoral period triggers several important legal and political consequences:

1. Political advertising restrictions begin to apply
2. Government spending rules change — public officials cannot inaugurate new projects or increase social spending in ways designed to influence voters
3. Political alliances start forming — expect to see parties and movements begin positioning candidates
4. The Guayaquil factor — with Mayor Aquiles Alvarez in jail, the race for Guayaquil's next mayor becomes one of the most watched contests in the country

What This Means for Expats

• Your local mayor and prefect matter. These are the officials who manage the roads you drive, the water you drink, the transit police who stop you, and the zoning that determines what gets built next door. Pay attention to who's running in your municipality
• Voter registration: If you have Ecuadorian citizenship or permanent residency, you may be eligible (and in some cases required) to vote in local elections. Check with the CNE to confirm your status
• Expect political activity. Campaign season doesn't officially start until January 2027, but in practice, political rallies, alliances, and public positioning will ramp up throughout 2026
• Disruptions possible. Ecuador's elections have historically been peaceful, but the current security situation adds uncertainty. The 2025 general election saw temporary border closures and increased military presence
• Address change deadline: If you've moved since the last election and want to vote in your current municipality, you must update your domicilio by May 13, 2026

Sources: El Universo, KCH Comunicación, CNE Ecuador