Quito - The government of left-wing populist President Rafael Correa was winning in Sunday's election of a constituent assembly in Ecuador, according to an exit poll. According to the survey results issued shortly after polls closed at 2200 GMT by the institute Investigacion y Estudios, Correa's Alianza Pais party was in line to win 15 of the 24 nationally elected seats in the 130-member assembly.
Another 100 seats were to be distributed to candidates by province, and a further six to candidates chosen by Ecuadorians living abroad. There were no exit polls as to their possible distribution.
Correa hoped for an absolute majority of 66 seats and said he would stand down if he did not obtain it.
Official results were not expected for 20 days.
