Ecuador's Socialist President Expected To Win Re-Election

He plans to muzzle the opposition press in his next term

Ecuadorans are set to go to the polls in national elections with President Rafael Correa the overwhelming favourite to win re-election and possibly gain greater backing for his brand of socialism.

Three private polls show Correa, who first came to power in 2007, with between 48.2 and 61.5 percent support, far ahead of his nearest rival, banker Guillermo Lasso.

That would enable the charismatic, US-educated economist to win another four year term in the first round of voting on Sunday, and possibly pick up a majority in Ecuador's Congress.

"He needs a reliable, solid and obedient majority," said Simon Pachano, a political analyst. "He has problems now because he does not have a majority in the assembly and has to put it together with alliances."