Protests over Ecuador count delay

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Tensions are mounting in Ecuador as the result of Sunday's presidential vote is awaited amid allegations of fraud.

A "quick count" carried out by the Brazilian firm E-vote suggested there would be a run-off election between Alvaro Noboa and Rafael Correa.

But that count was halted with only 70% of the ballots processed, and the official count could take up to a week.

Supporters of Mr Correa have been protesting outside the electoral tribunal, accusing it of fraud.

Supporters of some of the other 11 candidates have also been protesting against the delays in counting and alleged irregularities.

Many of the protesters are demanding the resignation of the members of the tribunal.

The head of an observer mission from the Organization of American States said on Sunday that his team had not seen any irregularities

'No fraud'

According to the preliminary count of 70% of the ballots carried out by E-vote, Mr Alvaro Noboa had 26.7% of the vote and Mr Correa 22.5%.

Campaigning for the run-off is expected to be fierceMr Correa - a former economy minister - had been leading the opinion polls in the week running up to the election, and has claimed he was robbed of votes.

Technical problems led to the suspension of the "quick count" early on Monday, and the Ecuadorean authorities have since cancelled their contract with E-vote.

The head of the electoral tribunal, Xavier Cazar, dismissed claims of fraud in the "quick count", saying the results matched exit polls conducted by the media.

Under Ecuadorean law, the electoral authorities have 10 days to present the official results.

'Aggressive campaigns'

A run-off between Mr Noboa - Ecuador's richest man - and the left-wing Mr Correa is expected to be held on 26 November.

The BBC's Daniel Schweimler in the capital Quito says that the two men represent the two sides of a divided country.

Mr Noboa enjoys much of his support in Ecuador's financial centre, the coastal city of Guayaquil, while his opponent is popular among the country's rural poor, and in Quito.

Many people in Ecuador are already disillusioned with their politicians, our correspondent says.

The fight between Mr Correa and Mr Noboa is likely to be aggressive and is unlikely to restore much faith in the country's politicians, analysts say.

Popular protests drove the last three elected presidents from power, and only three since 1979 have succeeded in serving full terms.