<h1>Ecuador's Presidential Election: Conservative Incumbent Faces Leftist Lawyer in Crime-Influenced Race with Possible Runoff</h1> Ecuador's presidential election sees the conservative incumbent and a leftist lawyer as leading candidates among 16 contenders. The election is influenced by widespread crime linked to cocaine trafficking from Colombia and Peru. President Noboa, a conservative millionaire, aims for re-election, facing criticism for insufficient crime reduction. His opponent, Gonzalez, a former lawmaker and protege of a past influential president, promises to tackle crime and boost the economy. Noboa previously defeated Gonzalez in a 2023 runoff. Voting is mandatory, with over 13.7 million eligible voters. A runoff is scheduled for April 13 if no candidate wins outright.