The first round of presidential elections in Ecuador, 11 days after the murder of one of the candidates, did not bring any big surprises: according to the results of the exit poll, socialist Luisa Gonzalez, a protégé of former exiled president Rafael Correa, leads with a significant advantage.
After three-quarters of the votes were counted, the candidate of the left-wing Civil Revolution Movement, Luisa González, has 33 percent of the votes.
Along with her in the second round, which should be held on October 15, somewhat unexpectedly, should be businessman Daniel Noboa, who has 24 percent.
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About 100.000 police and soldiers were deployed for security during the first round of voting on Sunday.
Snap elections were called after President Guillermo Lasso - a conservative former banker - dissolved parliament to avoid impeachment.
Sunday's vote was peaceful, much to the relief of Ecuadorians who fear growing violence.
However, there were several incidents of shooting ahead of the vote.
The new president will take office on October 26 and will serve only 18 months - the amount left for Las's term to expire.
Gonzalez, a 45-year-old protégé of left-wing former president Rafael Correa, was considered the top favorite among the eight presidential candidates.
But the assassination of candidate Fernando Villavicensi on August 9 in the capital Quito cast a shadow over the election campaign and it was difficult to predict their outcome.
González's promises to restore generous social programs are appealing to Ecuadorians hit hard by the economic crisis.
However, voters are politically divided.
Korea's influence is still felt in the country: he reduced poverty while in power, but was also beset by corruption scandals and is now in exile in Belgium.
Those who want to end his influence in Ecuador support the candidate of business circles, 25-year-old Daniel Noboa.
The only thing that unites Ecuadorians is their need for peace and security.
Everyone is hoping for a peaceful campaign ahead of the second round.
Villavicencio, 59, was an investigative journalist who exposed corruption and denounced ties between organized crime and officials.
He was killed just before the elections.
Six men - all Colombian citizens - have been arrested in connection with his murder.
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