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Both sides declare victory in Ecuador's presidential runoff

Xinhua, April 3, 2017 Adjust font size:

Both sides declared victory in Ecuador's presidential runoff Sunday, as contradictory exit polls placed each candidate in the lead.

Meanwhile, the Union of South American Nations (Unasur), which had a special observer mission there, called on the political parties to wait for the official preliminary results, expected to be announced at 8 p.m. local time.

In the capital Quito, Lenin Moreno, of the ruling progressive PAIS Alliance, told supporters that while on the campaign trail, "we already sensed the considerable advantage we were going to have. That is why we proclaimed this victory from before, because we were in touch with the people."

Conservative rival Guillermo Lasso, speaking from the southwestern coastal city of Guayaquil, his hometown, announced to his supporters, "today a new Ecuador has been born. Democracy, liberty and valor have won, you have won, Ecuador has won.

"Starting today, there is a president who is going to promote national unity," said Lasso, who is making his second run for the presidency.

According to polling firm Perfiles de Opinion, Moreno garnered 52.2 percent of the votes versus 47.8 percent for Lasso.

However, another pollster, Cedatos-Gallup, said its survey showed Lasso securing 53.02 percent of the votes, against 46.98 percent for Moreno. Enditem