In the first round of voting, both incumbent President Daniel Noboa and left-wing candidate Luisa González receive just over 44 percent of the votes, but Noboa marginally more.
In front of supporters in the capital Quito, 47-year-old González describes the result as a "draw" in statistical terms – and a victory in itself, since much indicated that Noboa would receive at least 50 percent and win the election directly.
The election campaign has been marked by a spiral of violence where major drug cartels want to control smuggling routes through Ecuador. During 15 months in power, Daniel Noboa has declared a state of emergency and placed military personnel on the streets.
The election will be decided in a runoff in April.
