Ecuador

Abstract

The Republic of Ecuador was constituted May 11, 1830, in consequence of a civil war which separated the members of the original Republic of Colombia, founded by Simon Bolivar, by uniting the Presidency of Quito to the Vice-Royalty of New Grenada, and the Captaincy-General of Venezuela, when they threw off the Spanish yoke. By its Constitution, dating 1884, with modifications in 1887 and 1897, the executive is vested in a President, elected for the term of four years, while the legislative power is given to a Congress of two Houses; the first consisting of two senators for each province (chosen for two years), and the second of deputies, on the basis of one deputy for every 15,000 inhabitants, chosen for two years; both elected by adults who can read and write. The Congress meets on the 10th of August of every year at Quito, the capital, without being summoned by the Government. The election of the President takes place in a direct manner by the people, and that of the Vice-President, whose term of office is also four years, by the same procedure, but two years after that of the President, so that he is a member of two distinct administrations. The Vice-President in certain cases may be called upon to occupy the Presidential chair. He also discharges the duties of President of the Council State.