1978–79 Ecuadorian general election

General elections were held in Ecuador in 1978 and 1979.^[1] The first round of the presidential election was held on 16 July 1978, with a second round held alongside parliamentary elections on 29 April 1979.^[1] The presidential election was won by Jaime Roldós Aguilera of the Concentration of People's Forces (CPF), who received 68.5% of the vote in the run-off, becoming the country's first freely-elected president.^[2] The CPF emerged as the largest party in the National Congress, winning 29 of the 69 seats.^[3]

Registered2,088,874

Turnout75.46% (first round)
80.49% (second round)

Quick facts Registered, Turnout ...

1978–79 Ecuadorian general election

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Presidential election
16 July 1978 (first round) 29 April 1979 (second round)
Registered	2,088,874
Turnout	75.46% (first round) 80.49% (second round)
Nominee Jaime Roldós Aguilera Sixto Durán Ballén Party CFP PSC Running mate Osvaldo Hurtado José Icaza Popular vote 1,025,148 471,657 Percentage 68.49% 31.51%
First round results by province Second round results by province
President before election Alfredo Poveda Nonpartisan Elected President Jaime Roldós Aguilera CFP

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The incumbent military dictatorship barred Assad Bucaram, the popular leader of the CFP from being a candidate in the election.^[4]

The incumbent military dictatorship made attempts to prevent the transfer of power prior to the second round of the elections, including postponing it up to nine months after the first round was held.^[4]