Ecuador’s constitutional referendum will be held on Sunday yet according to recent reports the result is a foregone conclusion. According to one poll released earlier this week 57% of Ecuadorians would vote for the new constitution with less than a quarter of respondents against it. Other polls indicate at least 60% support for the new charter when only a simple majority (i.e. 50% + 1) is required for it to be passed.
President Rafael Correa (image) would be the big winner if the constitution is accepted by the electorate. The new charter would grant Correa broader political and economic powers yet the 444-page constitution would encompass much more such as the following:
* Bans genetically modified seeds, with the exception of some crops approved by the president and Congress…
* Grants free health care for all its older citizens. Some economists say universal health care could cost the government billions of dollars and boost the country's financing needs…
* Allows for civil unions of gay partners, affording them similar rights to married couples.
* Softens penalties for individual drug use.
Despite what appears to be a loss on Sunday, some opponents of Correa are still campaigning against him. Guayaquil mayor Jaime Nebot has been “actively campaigning”, for example, and there has been the growth of groups against the new constitution like “church leaders and private college student groups.”
Image- BBC News
Sources- Angus Reid Consultants, FT.com, Reuters
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