[NYTr] Ecuadorians Begin Run for Assembly

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

Ecuadorians Begin Run for Assembly

Quito, Aug 13 (Prensa Latina) Three thousand one hundred sixty-three
candidates from 26 Ecuadorian political and social organizations began
vying Monday for 130 seats in the National Constituent Assembly, which
will draw up a new Constitution.

For the first time the government will finance the publicity of all the
candidates and Rene Mauge, vice president of the Supreme Electoral
Court, explained they received 30 million dollars to guarantee equal
time and space in the written press, radio, television and posters.

Heretofore, the great political parties were supported by economic
groups that paid for their propaganda and smaller parties or movements
could not compete; the new method should stop the previous inequality.

The aspirants may not pay privately for publicity or receive donations
or presents, according to the regulations established in the electoral
statute approved on April 15.

The September 30 election will form a political institution formed by
24 national and 100 provincial representatives, with 6 delegates to
represent Ecuadorians living abroad.

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