Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso on Tuesday signed a decree calling for a referendum which he hopes will clear the way for the extradition of Ecuadorans linked to organized crime, as well as to reduce the size of Congress.

"Ecuadorans will be able to decide on eight questions that will bring more security, better representation and will allow care for the environment," Lasso wrote on Twitter.

He said he had signed the decree that gives the green light for the plebiscite.

The decree, which will enter into force when it is published in the Official Gazette, states that the popular consultation aims at the "promotion of citizen security", the "strengthening of democracy" and the "protection of the environment."

"Ecuador wins with this consultation!" tweeted the president, who took office in May 2021.

On security, he proposes the extradition of Ecuadorans who have committed crimes linked to transnational organized crime, which has long plagued the country of 18 million.

Ecuador has seen a rapid growth in violence linked to drug trafficking, as well as drug seizures.

In 2021, it seized a record 210 tons and so far this year it has seized some 170 tons.

Concerning congress, where the ruling party has only 13 of 137 deputies, Lasso proposed reducing the size of the National Assembly, and that political parties have a minimum number of members and be audited periodically.

The president also intends for the referendum to reduce the powers of the autonomous Council for Citizen Participation and Social Control (CPCCS), in charge of appointing key figures as such as prosecutors, comptrollers, ombudsmen and the heads of the electoral council, among other positions.

On the environment, the move proposed including water systems within protected natural areas and delivering compensation, to be regulated by the state, to communities or Indigenous peoples that provide environmental services.

Once the National Electoral Council (CNE) is aware of the decree, it has a period of 15 days to call the referendum, and from there the consultation must be carried out within 60 days.

On February 5, the country will celebrate the election of mayors, provincial governors and members of the Citizen Participation Council.

In 2018, former President Lenin Moreno called a referendum that scrapped the lack of term limits approved under his predecessor, Rafael Correa.

Correa also used referendums to disqualify politicians with capital in tax havens, to reform the justice system and regulate the press.

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