Quito , Ecuador ( CNN ) -- Ecuadorian law prohibits polling firms from releasing data in the 10 days before Sunday 's presidential election , but unless something surprising happens , incumbent Rafael Correa can expect to win re-election . Earlier this month , four of the country 's major polling firms gave Correa a more-than-comfortable margin over his seven challengers . To avoid a runoff , the winner of the election must obtain at least 40 % of the vote and more than 10 points ' difference from the runner-up . Correa is poised to meet both those criteria . From abroad , the leftist president is often characterized as a disciple of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez . Indeed , the U.S.-trained economist has created his own `` Citizens ' Revolution , '' a socialist-oriented economic program with some similarities to what Chavez has done in Venezuela . Correa has been criticized by press freedom groups for his government 's aggressive legal battles against media outlets unfriendly to him . At the same time , Ecuador is housing Julian Assange in its embassy in London , and Correa has offered him asylum . Yet , domestically , Correa 's social and economic programs have made him a popular president . He enjoys an approval rating of nearly 85 % , according to a December survey by pollster Perfiles de Opiniones . Ecuadorians will elect the president and vice president , 137 legislators in the National Assembly and five members of the Andean Parliament . Correa 's closest challenger is Guillermo Lasso Mendoza , who ran on a platform promising lower taxes and the privatization of state media companies . Lasso complained that the short electoral campaign period allowed in Ecuador -- 42 days -- gives an unfair advantage to the incumbent . `` This has been an uneven campaign , but we have given our strongest effort to share our proposal full of hope , '' Lasso said at his campaign closing . In his last campaign event , Correa warned of a return to what he said were corrupt leaders who looked after themselves at the expense of the public . Ecuador , the smallest of the Andean countries , is known for its oil production and tourism . Since Correa became president , he has aligned himself with other countries in the region who reject the influence of the United States . Correa assumed the presidency in 2007 and under a new constitution ran again and won the presidency in 2009 . If re-elected , Correa would serve until 2017 . The possibility of 10 years under Correa 's leadership is a contrast with the political landscape in Ecuador before he became president . The country had seven presidents in the 10-year span 1996 and 2006 . Correa 's administration has stabilized Ecuador , but more must be done , political analyst Hernan Reyes said . `` We 're living in a moment of transition , '' Reyes said , adding that six years of Correa 's presidency have not been enough time to completely shift away from the neoliberal economic model of his predecessors . `` I think Correa has succeeded in making the economy dynamic through state investment in public works ( and ) social projects . This has created an increase in employment rates . Unemployment and underemployment has fallen . '' According to the World Bank , the percentage of the population living in poverty dipped from 36.1 % in 2007 to 28.6 % in 2011 . School enrollment is higher than the average in Latin America and the gross domestic product of the oil-based economy has risen $ 20 billion since Correa took office . Other experts are wary of what they say are Correa 's authoritarian tendencies . `` Unfortunately , this government , despite its social and economic successes , institutions have been weakened and there is a control over everything by the executive , '' political analyst Ana Maria Correa said . Journalist Andres Lopez reported from Quito and CNN 's Mariano Castillo from Atlanta .
Ecuadorians will go to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president . President Rafael Correa had a sizable lead according to latest polls . Correa 's leftist policies make him popular at home .