Ecuador’s CNE Sends President Noboa’s Referendum Call to Constitutional Court
Ecuador’s National Electoral Council (CNE) has referred President Daniel Noboa’s recent call for a referendum on establishing a Constituent Assembly to the Constitutional Court for review, as mandated by law, reports 24brussels.
The decision, made during a session on Saturday, saw four members of the CNE support a motion urging the court to expedite its ruling on the constitutionality of Decree 153, which encompasses the president’s referendum proposal.
This development complicates President Noboa’s agenda, as the initiative for a Constituent Assembly aims to revise the current constitution to facilitate the possible return of foreign military bases to Ecuador. The proposal marked a significant pillar of Noboa’s campaign. However, with the CNE’s recent decision, the proposal now faces an indefinite delay pending the court’s determination.
On the same day, the CNE initiated the electoral process for the referendum, but limited it to only two of the proposed questions: one regarding the potential return of foreign military bases and another concerning financial support for political organizations. The question pertaining to the Constituent Assembly has been excluded, leaving its fate entirely in the hands of the Constitutional Court.
The CNE’s ruling reflects the ongoing tension between the executive branch’s ambitions and the checks placed by Ecuador’s judicial mechanisms. As President Noboa awaits validation from the court, it remains uncertain how this standoff will impact his administration’s future and its broader agenda for constitutional reform.
The political landscape in Ecuador continues to evolve, and the implications of this ruling could have far-reaching effects on governance and policy-making, particularly in light of the contentious calls for constitutional change.
