This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6184854.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Ecuador's Correa claims victory Ecuador's Correa claims victory
(about 1 hour later)
Leftist Rafael Correa is set for victory in Ecuador's presidential election.Leftist Rafael Correa is set for victory in Ecuador's presidential election.
Three exit polls and an unofficial quick count indicated Mr Correa had gained around 57% of the vote while Alvaro Noboa polled about 43%. With nearly 20% of ballots counted, Mr Correa has gained around 66% of the vote while Alvaro Noboa polled about 34%, according to election officials.
Mr Correa promised radical change - he opposes a free trade deal with the US and has promised to close a United States military base in Ecuador.Mr Correa promised radical change - he opposes a free trade deal with the US and has promised to close a United States military base in Ecuador.
Mr Noboa has not yet accepted defeat, with full results due on Tuesday.Mr Noboa has not yet accepted defeat, with full results due on Tuesday.
The preliminary count from Ecuador's Supreme Electoral Tribunal is even more in favour of Mr Correa than the exit polls, which indicated he had won 57% of the vote.
We accept this victory with dignity and humility... We are just instruments of the power of the people Rafael CorreaWe accept this victory with dignity and humility... We are just instruments of the power of the people Rafael Correa
Ecuador has seen much political turmoil in recent years with seven presidents in the last decade.Ecuador has seen much political turmoil in recent years with seven presidents in the last decade.
The last three elected presidents were overthrown and only three since 1979 have succeeded in serving full terms.The last three elected presidents were overthrown and only three since 1979 have succeeded in serving full terms.
Policy announcementsPolicy announcements
"Thank God, we have triumphed," Mr Correa told supporters in the capital Quito."Thank God, we have triumphed," Mr Correa told supporters in the capital Quito.
"We accept this victory with dignity and humility... We are just instruments of the power of the people.""We accept this victory with dignity and humility... We are just instruments of the power of the people."
Although the official result has not yet been announced, Mr Correa has moved quickly to make policy announcements and appoint ministers. Although the full official result has not yet been announced, Mr Correa has moved quickly to make policy announcements and appoint ministers.
He said he will try to rejoin the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) which Ecuador left in 1992.He said he will try to rejoin the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) which Ecuador left in 1992.
He also named leftist economists Ricardo Patino and Alberto Acosta as his economy and energy ministers, Reuters news agency said. He also named leftist economists Ricardo Patino and Alberto Acosta as his economy and energy ministers.
His rival Alvaro Noboa rejected the exit polls and said he would wait until official results were announced before asking for a recount if necessary.His rival Alvaro Noboa rejected the exit polls and said he would wait until official results were announced before asking for a recount if necessary.
Alvaro Noboa has said he will ask for a recount if necessaryBefore voting, he had gone down on his knees, Bible in hand, and asked God for support.Alvaro Noboa has said he will ask for a recount if necessaryBefore voting, he had gone down on his knees, Bible in hand, and asked God for support.
"Like Christ, all I want is to serve... so that the poor can have housing, health care, education, jobs," Associated Press news agency quoted him as saying."Like Christ, all I want is to serve... so that the poor can have housing, health care, education, jobs," Associated Press news agency quoted him as saying.
The billionaire banana tycoon, Ecuador's richest man, had campaigned promising to attract foreign investment to Ecuador. He frequently carried a Bible.The billionaire banana tycoon, Ecuador's richest man, had campaigned promising to attract foreign investment to Ecuador. He frequently carried a Bible.
He had said he would build 300,000 new homes a year for Ecuador's poor.He had said he would build 300,000 new homes a year for Ecuador's poor.
Foreign debt promisesForeign debt promises
An economic aide to Mr Correa said he would not pay some of Ecuador's "illegitimate" foreign debt and would not sign a free trade agreement with the United States, Reuters said.An economic aide to Mr Correa said he would not pay some of Ecuador's "illegitimate" foreign debt and would not sign a free trade agreement with the United States, Reuters said.
While campaigning, Mr Correa said he wanted to renegotiate contracts with foreign oil companies.While campaigning, Mr Correa said he wanted to renegotiate contracts with foreign oil companies.
Mr Correa is close to Venezuela's anti-American President Hugo Chavez and has called US President George W Bush a "dimwit".Mr Correa is close to Venezuela's anti-American President Hugo Chavez and has called US President George W Bush a "dimwit".
He toned down his comparison to Mr Chavez after he lost the first round vote to Mr Noboa.He toned down his comparison to Mr Chavez after he lost the first round vote to Mr Noboa.
Both candidates had promised to create jobs and fight poverty and corruption. Both had also promised to double the monthly government payout poor Ecuadoreans receive.Both candidates had promised to create jobs and fight poverty and corruption. Both had also promised to double the monthly government payout poor Ecuadoreans receive.