More than seven million Ecuadorians are voting on Sunday to elect a new president, members of parliament and local authorities. These elections are designed to end the political limbo in which Ecuador has been for more than a year.

According to the latest opinion polls, two candidates could win Sunday's election: Jamil Mahuad, the Christian Democrat mayor of Quito and Alvaro Noboa, one of the richest men in Ecuador.

The campaign, which ended last Thursday, was marred by two personal attacks between the two men.

Mr Mahuad is ahead in the opinion polls but the final twist in this campaign could spoil his chances. Mr Noboa has accused the Christian Democrat incumbent of alleged links with drug barons. The Mahuat camp has denied the allegations and accused Mr Noboa of conducting a dirty tricks campaign.

At the same time, the Christian Democrats accused Alvaro Noboa of wanting to prompt the return to Ecuador of former President Abdala Bucaram. Mr Bucaram was sacked by parliament in February last year after protesters took to the streets of Ecuador accusing him of corruption and nepotism.

The country is currently run by an interim government. All cabinets have promised to solve Ecuador's economic crisis and rampant corruption. They want to promote private investments and criminal investigations. In spite of those promises, neither candidate is likely to win an overall majority.