Most of the 11 questions posed to voters Sunday focused on increased safety measures.
Ecuadorians have begun voting in a referendum proposing stronger measures to combat gang-related crime as Ecuador faces an escalation in violence, with two mayors killed in a week.
Most of the 11 questions posed to voters Sunday focused on increased safety measures. Proposals include deploying the military to fight gangs, lowering obstacles to the extradition of suspects and extending prison sentences for convicted drug traffickers.
Ecuador's worsening security situation is blamed on gangs linked to transnational cartels using the port to transport drugs to the United States and Europe.
As voting began at the electoral commission in the capital Quito, President Daniel Novoa said the results of Sunday's referendum “will determine the course and national policy we will take to face the challenges of combating violence and organized crime.” It will happen,” he said.
In January, Novoa declared a state of “internal armed conflict” with about 20 criminal organizations blamed for the violence sparked by the escape of a drug boss who remains on the run.
Gang members kidnapped dozens of people, including police and prison guards, opened fire on television studios during live broadcasts, and threatened random executions.
President Novoa declared a state of emergency and sent soldiers to retake the country's prisons. The prison became a hub of gang activity and a bloody battleground that claimed the lives of more than 460 inmates in three years.
Despite these efforts, violence continues, which Noboa sees as “a sign that narco-terrorism and its collaborators are looking for space to terrorize us.”
Murder of mayor and officials
At least a dozen politicians have been killed in Ecuador since January last year, including presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was gunned down after an election event last August.
Two mayors have been killed in the past week, making it three in less than a month.
The president on Sunday asked for public support for plans to crack down even harder on those responsible for such acts.
Citizens are being asked to approve expanding the powers of the military and police, significantly tightening gun controls and imposing tougher penalties for “terrorism” and drug trafficking.
Noboa also proposes amending the constitution to allow Ecuadorians wanted abroad for organized crime-related charges to be extradited.
About 13.6 million of the country's 17.7 million residents are eligible to vote “yes” or “no” during the 10-hour voting period.
Most of the questions in the referendum relate to crime prevention, a priority that Ecuador also grapples with as it grapples with widespread corruption, crippling power shortages and diplomatic issues with Mexico.
Last year, the country's murder rate rose to a record 43 per 100,000 people, up from just six in 2018, according to official data.
Reporting from Duran, Ecuador, Al Jazeera's Teresa Bo said most voters interviewed by Al Jazeera said they were “very concerned” about the country's security situation.
“They want the government to do more, even if it means amending the constitution. They say they are tired of living in fear.”
