Democracy

It is time to choose the next President of Ecuador.

Sunday, February 9th, 2025.

The electoral day started at 7 AM, and I was very nervous because I was substitute for the third vocal (the person who hands out ballots to voters). I found out months ago when I checked my new voting location. I attended the training for members of the voting boards, and today I got up at 6 AM to have breakfast and head to the polling station.

My sister also woke up because she was - again- the president of one of the electoral tables!

There was no way out for her. Our dad drove us there and waited in the car parked nearby. 

We showed the document proving we were members of the voting board, and the military let us in. 

Then, I  took a look at the classroom (since it was a school) and sat in a chair near the entrance door. 

I was one of the substitutes, meaning that if one the main vocals didn’t show up, I would have to take their place. And I really did not want to. Luckily, I didn’t have to because everyone is responsible for their civic duty (and no one wants to pay the fine).

I waited there until 7 AM for the table coordinator to dismiss us. I signed a few papers to confirm my attendance. I was the first one to vote at that table, then I received my voting certificate signed by my sister (because, yeah, we were assigned to the same table), and finally, I left.

Not before laminating my certificate, though. Where? Right outside the school. It’s a common side job people do during election time.

And not before waiting for my dad, who was also voting (at the same school). 

We were the three musketeers!

Finally, we got home around 7:20 AM. My mom woke up later, and I went to buy encebollado for breakfast (again).

P.S.: All three of us voted in the same place, but my mom votes even closer to home.

I had breakfast twice—first when my sister made scrambled eggs with a slice of bread, and then the encebollado.

Today was not only about choosing the President but also national and provincial assembly members and representatives for the Andean Parliament.

And you know what’s worse? Today’s events will repeat because there will be a runoff election between the two most-voted candidates