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Direct Democracy

Ecuador Ecuador

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: The Organic Law on Citizen Participation foresees direct democracy procedures, such citizen’s initiative, referendum and recalls.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República del Ecuador”, art. 106, 420, 441, 442: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-constitucion-2020/ ; Direct Democracy Law: “Ley Orgánica de Participación Ciudadana”, art. 5: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-ley-participacion-ciudadana-2011/
Verified: 2025/03/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD003

Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: The approval of a constitutional reform requires a referendum, which must be supported by half plus one of the valid votes cast.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República del Ecuador”, art. 442: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-constitucion-2020/ ; Direct Democracy Law: “Ley Orgánica de Participación Ciudadana”, art. 13: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-ley-participacion-ciudadana-2011/
Verified: 2025/03/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD004

Optional referendums (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República del Ecuador”, art. 106, 420, 441: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-constitucion-2020/ ; Direct Democracy Law: “Ley Orgánica de Participación Ciudadana”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-ley-participacion-ciudadana-2011/
Verified: 2025/03/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD005

Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments: The law foresees citizen initiatives for the creation, amendment or repeal of legal regulations before the Legislative Branch of Government or any other legislative body. It must be backed by, at least, 0.25% of those registered in the electoral roll of the corresponding jurisdiction.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República del Ecuador”, art. 61 (3), 103, 104, 134 (5), 420, 441 (2), 442: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-constitucion-2020/ ; Direct Democracy Law: “Ley Orgánica de Participación Ciudadana” art. 6-18: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-ley-participacion-ciudadana-2011/
Verified: 2025/03/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD006

Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República del Ecuador”, art. 61 (4), 103, 104, 106, 407, 438 (2), 444: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-constitucion-2020/ ; Direct Democracy Law: “Ley Orgánica de Participación Ciudadana” art. 19-24: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-ley-participacion-ciudadana-2011/
Verified: 2025/03/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD007


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: The request for recall can be submitted after the first year and before the last year of the term of office for which the challenged authority was elected. The request for recall must be backed by a number accounting for no less than 10% of the persons registered in the corresponding electoral roll. In the case of the President of the Republic, the amount of signatures must account to no less than 15% of the persons registered in the electoral roll.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República del Ecuador”, art. 61 (6), 105, 106: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-constitucion-2020/ ; Direct Democracy Law: “Ley Orgánica de Participación Ciudadana” art. 25-28: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-ley-participacion-ciudadana-2011/
Verified: 2025/03/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD129


Question:Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer: a. Always binding
Comments:
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República del Ecuador”, art. 106: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-constitucion-2020/ ; Direct Democracy Law: “Ley Orgánica de Participación Ciudadana” art. 18: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-ley-participacion-ciudadana-2011/
Verified: 2025/03/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD130


Question:Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer: c. Both constitutional and other issues
Comments: The ratification of treaties can be requested by referendum.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República del Ecuador”, art. 106, 420, 441, 442: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-constitucion-2020/ ; Direct Democracy Law: “Ley Orgánica de Participación Ciudadana”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-ley-participacion-ciudadana-2011/
Verified: 2025/03/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD131


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República del Ecuador”, art. 104, 106, 245, 257, 398: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-constitucion-2020/ ; Direct Democracy Law: “Ley Orgánica de Participación Ciudadana”, art. 20, 21, 23: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-ley-participacion-ciudadana-2011/
Verified: 2025/03/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
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