QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuadoreans on Sunday vote in a referendum on whether to prevent unlimited presidential re-election, with polls indicating the motion will likely pass and block former leftist President Rafael Correa from returning to power.

FILE PHOTO: Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno holds a traditional Andean stick during a news conference in Cochasqui, Ecuador, May 25, 2017. REUTERS/Mariana Bazo

President Lenin Moreno proposed the referendum to change the constitution in what was widely seen as a bid to halt Correa, his former mentor, from running for office again amid a bitter political dispute.

Moreno, a wheelchair-bound former vice president elected last year, says the change would strengthen the oil-rich Andean nation’s democracy.

“Corruption sets in when you have only one government that thinks it will stay on forever,” said Moreno during a campaign event this week in a low-income neighborhood of the mountainous capital Quito.

Moreno has a roughly 69 percent popularity level, according to pollster Cedatos, thanks to his conciliatory style and his crackdown on alleged graft during Correa’s administration.

“I’m voting ‘yes’ for a change,” said lawyer Andrea Ruales, 27, in Quito. “Before, Correa decided. And now, they’re asking the people.”

Around 59 percent of Ecuadoreans plan to vote in favor of limiting re-election, versus some 27 percent who plan to vote against it, according to pollster Opinion Publica Ecuador. A handful of other surveys found a similar trend.

Correa, however, says Moreno is a “traitor” seeking to annihilate him politically.

While he has been living in Brussels with his Belgian wife since leaving office, Correa has returned several times to whip up support during campaign stops across Ecuador.

“They’re trying to destroy everything that has to do with Correa,” he told Reuters in an interview, flanked by several lawmakers who still call him “president.”

The economist remains popular in some quarters for his welfare policy and an oil-fueled boom at the start of his decade-long presidency.

“There have been no changes with Moreno. He’s an ungrateful traitor because he does not recognize everything Correa did,” said security guard Jose Delgado, 58.

But many Ecuadoreans are tired of Correa’s confrontational style and want to turn over a new leaf.

Should Moreno score a resounding win on Sunday, he could shed some Correa-era cabinet members and feel emboldened to push through economic reforms.

A loss could dampen his presidency as Correa would likely seek office again.

The vote includes six other questions on issues ranging from new anti-corruption measures to limiting mining and oil production in environmentally-sensitive areas. Results are expected around 8 p.m. local time (0100 GMT).</s>The National Electoral Council (CNE) revealed Sunday preliminary results from Ecuador's national referendum, which showed that voters approved the seven questions raised in the poll.

CNE president Nubia Villacis said that the question that garnered most support, about 74 percent, was the first one, which proposes that state officials convicted of corruption be banned from political activity and their assets seized.</s>QUITO, Ecuador (AP) - A battle between Ecuador's current president and his predecessor has gone to the voters. They're deciding on a referendum that would limit presidents to two terms - a restriction that seems aimed directly at former President Rafael Correa.

The measure is backed by new President Lenin Moreno, who had been a protégé of Correa until taking office last year. They've been feuding bitterly almost ever since. Correa's been upset by Moreno's moves to build bridges to business leaders and others who had been at odds with the previous leader.

Sunday's referendum includes seven questions. One would give Moreno more authority over a council that determines who can lead some of the nation's most important institutions. Another would bar officials convicted of corruption from seeking office. Another would restrict mining.

Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno shows his ballot as he votes in favor of a constitutional referendum at a polling station in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. Moreno called for the nationwide referendum that will include a question asking voters whether they want to revoke a law pushed forward by his predecessor allowing presidents to be indefinitely re-elected. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

People arrive at a voting center during a constitutional referendum called by President Lenin Moreno in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. Moreno called for the nationwide referendum that will include a question asking voters whether they want to revoke a law pushed forward by his predecessor allowing presidents to be indefinitely re-elected. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

A woman casts her vote during a constitutional referendum called by President Lenin Moreno in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. Moreno called for the nationwide referendum that will include a question asking voters whether they want to revoke a law pushed forward by his predecessor allowing presidents to be indefinitely re-elected. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno casts his ballot in favor of a constitutional referendum at a polling station in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. Moreno called for the nationwide referendum that will include a question asking voters whether they want to revoke a law pushed forward by his predecessor allowing presidents to be indefinitely re-elected. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

A woman casts her vote during a constitutional referendum called by President Lenin Moreno in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. Moreno called for the nationwide referendum that will include a question asking voters whether they want to revoke a law pushed forward by his predecessor allowing presidents to be indefinitely re-elected. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)</s>QUITO, Ecuador (AP) - The latest on Ecuador's national referendum (all times local):

Ecuadoreans have voted overwhelmingly to limit presidents to two terms in a nationwide referendum that is seen as a critical test of former President Rafael Correa's enduring political strength.

A woman casts her vote during a constitutional referendum called by Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno in Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. Moreno called for the nationwide referendum that will include a question asking voters whether they want to revoke a law pushed forward by his predecessor allowing presidents to be indefinitely re-elected. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Quick count results showed voters in Sunday's national referendum approved by an almost 2-to-1 margin a measure reinstating term limits that Correa eliminated from the constitution in 2015.

The result had been expected and is a big boost for President Lenin Moreno, who was a protege of Correa until taking office last year. They've been feuding bitterly almost ever since over Moreno's decision to build bridges with business leaders and others who were bullied by Correa.

Six other questions on the ballot seeking to limit Correa's influence and limit mining activity in protected areas also easily passed.</s>Voters in Ecuador on Sunday approved a referendum that all but blocks Rafael Correa, a former president and leftist firebrand, from returning to power.

With more than 70% of voter tallies processed, the National Electoral Council said two out of every three voters had approved a ballot initiative that limits presidents to two terms. That is a victory for its main proponent, current President Lenin Moreno, and a reversal for Mr. Correa, who feverishly campaigned against the referendum.</s>By Daniela Brik

 Quito, Feb 3 (EFE).- The indigenous community and environmentalists appear unconvinced by the referendum to be held Sunday in Ecuador because of their doubts about two of the questions that directly affect the lands they defend.



Though the government says it seeks to protect the protec the environment with these measures, Indians and activists say they would never have come to a vote without their decades of struggle against mining and oil drilling in areas that are home to native peoples and an enormous biodiversity.



“These questions have appeared because the communities never stopped organizing and today they are there by popular demand,” Francisco Hurtado of the Ecumenical Human Rights Commission (CEDHU), founded almost 40 years ago, told EFE.



If accepted, question No. 5 will lead to a constitutional amendment that will “prohibit metal mining, without exception, in all of its stages, in protected areas, intangible zones and urban centers.”



Approval of question No. 7 would “increase the intangible zone by at least 50,000 hectares and reduce the area of oil exploitation authorized by the National Assembly in the Yasuni National Park from 1,030 hectares (2,500 acres) to 300 hectares.”



Environment Minister Tarsicio Granizo described as a “historic landmark that two of the seven questions in the referendum refer to environmental matters,” which shows “the interest of the government and the president in environmental issues.”



But ecologists and Indians maintain that both are “confusing” and “misleading,” though on principle and for political discipline they will vote “Yes” on both.



“Of course it’s significant that these questions are on the referendum, but unfortunately when we read the questions, we risk thinking that a ‘Yes’ vote will solve the problem of mining in the Yasuni,” Hurtado said.



The main environmentalist organizations recently demonstrated to demand an end to mining, and that President Lenin Moreno keep his promise of not issuing more concessions, and to demand the dismissal of Mining Minister Javier Cordova, who resigned last Tuesday without saying why.



They said that contrary to the president’s promise, some 70,000 hectares have been awarded in concessions and that 15 percent of national territory have been so awarded, something the protesters called a “mining feast.”</s>QUITO, Ecuador — The latest on Ecuador’s national referendum (all times local):

Ecuadoreans have voted overwhelmingly to limit presidents to two terms in a nationwide referendum that is seen as a critical test of former President Rafael Correa’s enduring political strength.

Quick count results showed voters in Sunday’s national referendum approved by an almost 2-to-1 margin a measure reinstating term limits that Correa eliminated from the constitution in 2015.

The result had been expected and is a big boost for President Lenin Moreno, who was a protege of Correa until taking office last year. They’ve been feuding bitterly almost ever since over Moreno’s decision to build bridges with business leaders and others who were bullied by Correa.

Six other questions on the ballot seeking to limit Correa’s influence and limit mining activity in protected areas also easily passed.
Ecuador is set to hold a referendum consisting of seven questions for voters to approve or reject.