Thousands take to the streets of Ecuador amid claims of rigged presidential election

Ecuador was in turmoil on Monday as thousands of protesters took to the streets amid claims of a rigged presidential election.

Results showed the socialist former vice-president Lenin Moreno on 51 per cent with 96 per cent of votes counted in yesterday’s second-round run-off.

But his opposition rival, conservative banker Guillermo Lasso, refused to recognise the results and called on his supporters to take to the streets to guard against “fraud”.

The result was being closely watched by Julian Assange after Mr Lasso vowed before the election to evict the Wikileaks founder from the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he has been holed up since 2012.

He had said he would evict the Australian activist, who is wanted for extradition by Sweden, within 30 days of taking office, while Mr Moreno said he would allow him to stay.

On his Twitter account shortly after the results became known, Mr Assange took a jab at Mr Lasso’s pledge.

“I cordially invite Lasso to leave Ecuador within 30 days (with or without his tax haven millions),” he wrote.

A difference of about 220,000 votes separated the two candidates with fewer than 300,000 still left to count.

Mr Lasso said he would challenge the results in all of Ecuador’s 24 provinces after three exit polls showed him winning.

“This is very sickening. We’re not going to allow it,” he said, accusing President Rafael Correa of trying to install an “illegitimate” government.

Thousands of outraged Lasso supporters shouting “fraud” crashed through metal barricades to almost reach the entrance of the electoral council’s headquarters in Quito.

In Guayaquil, where Mr Lasso is from, supporters shouted “Get out Correa!” and threw sticks at riot police in formation before being pushed back with tear gas. There were reports of small scuffles and clashes in other cities.