Election officials in Ecuador say everything is ready for Sunday's presidential, legislative and local elections.

The central election commission Luis Jarrin said ballot papers had been distributed to the polling stations and international observers had seen the new computer system that would be used to count the votes.

The Christian-Democrat mayor of Quito, Jamil Mahuad, is leading in the opinion polls for the presidential election.

A business magnate, Alvaro Noboa, is second.

However, correspondents say neither will command an absolute majority in the first round.

A run-off, if needed, is scheduled for the middle of July.

Note: polls open at 1200 GMT, close at 2200 GMT, first preliminary results expected 2400 GMT