The former legionnaire and businessman specializing in security Jan Topic, whose candidacy for the Presidency of Ecuador was disqualified by the Electoral Contentious Tribunal (TCE), announced a website for the public to choose the person who will replace him in the presidential candidacy. Topic stated in a press conference that his interest is to solve problems and not vanity, criticizing that four judges from the TCE disqualified his candidacy based on assumptions presented by the Patriotic Society Party and the indigenous movement Pachakutik.
"Problems of this nature are solved with more democracy, making Ecuadorians more participants in decision-making," Topic mentioned. He announced that the candidate selection process will be broad, transparent, and massive, with a call to Ecuadorians over 35 years old who believe they have the qualities to lead the cause. The goal is to choose the best possible candidate for the elections on February 9, which will define the president of Ecuador for the period 2025-2029.
According to Guillermo Celi, leader of the SUMA movement that supports Topic, they will be able to present a new candidacy until next Sunday, after having appealed the TCE's decision and notified the National Electoral Council (CNE). Topic registered his candidacy with Michelle Calvache as the vice-presidential candidate before the CNE, which rejected complaints from other political parties during the registration process, qualifying the candidacy at that time.
In the event of disqualification, Topic mentioned he would appeal to the Organization of American States (OAS). The Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, expressed concern over Topic's disqualification and its impact on the Ecuadorian electoral process. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador reminded Almagro of the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of a state.
