Presidential Vote Heads for Runoff

Ecuadoreans headed for a cliffhanger presidential election with a former coup leader and a banana tycoon poised to enter a second-round runoff Nov. 24, according to election results.

With 72% of polling stations counted, retired army Col. Lucio Gutierrez had 18.79% of the vote, according to results provided by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. In 2000, Gutierrez joined an Indian uprising that toppled the president and installed then-Vice President Gustavo Noboa as leader. On Gutierrez’s heels was Ecuador’s richest man, Alvaro Noboa -- no relation to Gustavo -- with 17.65% of the vote. Socialist lawmaker Leon Roldos was third with 15.98%.