Ecuadorian presidential candidate Lenin Moreno, at right, celebrates with his vice presidential candidate Jorgue Glas, center, after hearing poll results in Quito, Ecuador, on February 19, 2017. Moreno needs 40 percent of the vote to avoid a run-off on April 2 -- which may prove more difficult to win -- but was about one percent short late Sunday night with a little more than half the votes counted. Photo by Jose Jacome/EPA
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Ecuador's former vice president inched closer to an outright win in the first round of Sunday's presidential election, but may not be able to avoid a second-round run-off vote to win office -- which some think could be challenging.
Lenin Moreno had a solid lead in Ecuador's presidential election with just over half the votes counted on Sunday night, pulling in 38.8 percent to Guillermo Lasso's 28.7 percent -- but unless Moreno breaks 40 percent there will be a run-off vote on April 2.
Beyond Lasso, former Congresswoman Cynthia Viteri nabbed 16.3 percent of the vote and former Quito Mayor Paco Moncayo had 6.9 percent of the vote.
Ecuadorians also voted for the 137 members of the National Assembly, however the presidential election garnered far more attention as this is the first time in a decade that outgoing President Rafael Correa isn't on the ballot.
Moreno is his hand-chosen successor and would be expected to continue most of Correa's policies if he wins, though he has said he would work to be less antagonistic than his former boss.
"We have to cross our fingers," Moreno told supporters at a rally Sunday night. "But I think victory in this round is still possible."
Moreno has a 10-point lead, and has declared a partial victory already, but if the election goes to a run-off, some experts say opposition to the ruling party could coalesce around Lasso and give him the win.
Correa has lost some of the public trust but is seen mostly favorably for programs to help the poor and improve infrastructure. Moreno, chosen by Correa to continue his programs, is facing off against the more business-oriented, right-leaning Lasso.
Where Lasso is pitching the government to improve it's budgetary situation by reducing government spending and taxes, suggesting it will improve the stagnant economy, Moreno said he plans to increase aid to the poor and elderly while expanding educational opportunity, which many voters on Sunday said the continue to support.
