33 Ecuador Government Facts: Learn About Its Development And Growth!

In 2000, to balance out Ecuador's economy, the country adopted US dollars as its national currency, and the plan was later known as 'dollarization'.

Ecuador is one of the small countries in the South American continent to the west of the Pacific Ocean. There are also Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Panama, and other countries along with Ecuador.

Spanish invaders are known to have founded the country, Ecuador. The Spanish invaders ruled the country for almost 300 years. From the history and politics of Ecuador, it is known that it got its independence from Spain in 1822. Before the arrival of Spanish invaders, Ecuador was part of the Inca Empire. Ecuador joined the World Trade Organization in 1995. The new constitution of the Republic of Ecuador in 2008 was approved by around 64% of its citizens. The present vice-president of the country is Alfredo Enrique Borrero Vega. There is much to be known about the history of Ecuador in the world from its power from the Inca Empire to Spanish invaders until its independence. Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador have a unitary state and presidential system in common while only Peru and Ecuador have a constitutional republic. Ecuador is a developing country. It satisfies the criteria presently used to classify third-world countries. Poverty is widespread, and the country has an infant death incidence, horrible jail standards, and deprivation.

The Power Of Government Bodies

There are basically five branches of government in Ecuador: the Legislative Branch, the Electoral Branch, the Executive Branch, the Judicial Branch, Social Control, and Transparency in Diplomatic Relations.

The president of Ecuador is democratically elected on a four-year term basis, and Guillermo Lasso is the current President who governs the country. Ecuador has a place called the Palacio de Carondelet at its capital, Quito, which is the official residence of the President. The existing constitution of Ecuador was the established constituent assembly of 2007.

In 2008, the country's constituent assembly was adopted by ballot. It was president, Rafael Correa who helped to bring in the constitution of Ecuador. All educated individuals aged 18–65 have been required to vote since 1936, while all other citizens of the country have the choice to vote. In the executive branch of Ecuador, there are 23 ministries. Governors and councilors are elected by the population of Ecuador, be it aldermen, mayors, or parish boards.

The Ecuadorian National Assembly functions year-round with office and political programs, excluding July and December vacations. A total of 13 regular panels exist. The National Judicial Council appoints members of the National Court of Justice for a nine-year tenure. The administrative divisions of the country are three: provinces, cantons, and parishes.

The Balloting Procedure

In Ecuador, the representatives of the political parties are elected by the popular vote system.

The president of Ecuador and National Congress members are elected democratically by the country's citizens. Polling is a basic right for all citizens of Ecuador, and it is mandatory for educated citizens of Ecuador aged 18-65 who live in the country. The uneducated and old individuals above the age of 65 are not required to vote.

The serving military personnel is also barred from voting. The Tribunal Supremo Electoral organizes and supervises elections. The Tribunal is a non-government-run organization or an independent agency with unique investigative capabilities. Throughout all election disputes, the Tribunal has the last authority to pass any law or judgment.

During the vote tallying process, officials from political parties and foreign organizations may also be involved. In case, no candidate receives a percentage of the seats in presidential elections, the Constitution mandates a second attempt between both the two leading contenders or candidates of political parties or any other independent candidates.

The Legal Structure Of Government

The Ecuadorian government has three main running bodies: Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judiciary Branch.

The head of the executive branch is the president of the Republic and also the spokesperson of the state. The President is nominated by votes cast system for a time period of four-year with one vote for President and Vice-President. The heads within each department appointed by the President, form and define the membership and responsibilities of the ministers of the executive branch.

The Armed Forces' Commander-in-Chief is also the president. Guillermo Alberto Santiago Lasso Mendoza is the president as of May 24, 2021. Ecuador's unicameral legislature is the National Assembly. Following constitutional revisions in 2008, it took the position of the National Congress in 2009. Guadalupe Llori, on May 14, 2018, became the president of the National Assembly.

The National Assembly holds legislative authority in Ecuador, whereas a parallel Judiciary Council appoints justices to the National Court of Justice. The National Assembly, which meets at the Legislative Palace in Quito. It is made up of 137 state representatives who are organized into 10 committee members and chosen for a four-year tenure.

Based on the latest current national population data, there are 15 national constituency chosen assemblies, two Assembly members appointed out of each province, and one for every 100,000 citizens or a percentage over 150,000. Furthermore, the election of provincial and urban regional governments is governed by legislation.

Administrative courts, trial courts, appellate or Provincial Superior Courts, and a Supreme Court make up the legal administration. The National Court of Justice is made up of 21 justices who are each chosen for a nine-year tenure. The Judicial Code requires judges to be re-elected after three years by a majority of their peers (one-third).

The Judicial Council chooses them based on the merits of the opposing arguments. The autonomous agencies of the state prosecutor and defense lawyer support the legal system. Registrars, court estate agents, and court recipients are the supporting bodies to the institutions.

The Government's Stand On Communism

Currently, the elected president, Guillermo Alberto Santiago Lasso Mendoza, is from the Creating Opportunities party.

Until the presidency of Rafael Correa, for sure, the country was not all social in its aspects, although much upliftment was seen throughout Ecuador. The administration under his rule would have called itself 'socialist' in the 20th century, but according to citizens, it was just hyperbole. With Correa's government, a lot of progress had been made in terms of infrastructure and societal problems.

People residing in the western part of the nation have seen the changes. Universities, schools, and hospitals were being reformed in such a manner that the state administration appeared to be representing the public. Citizens want an equal social society with fewer disparities while the government seems to be working on both the communist and socialist aspects, the latter being less in corporations.