Ecuador's president, Alfredo Palacio, has abandoned his push for a referendum on amending the Andean country's constitution.
Mr. Palacio made the decision in Quito Monday, after lawmakers replaced some electoral tribunal members to ensure a majority of the seven-seat board opposed the referendum.
He had said a revised constitution was necessary to help restore a permanent government to Ecuador. Popular uprisings have driven three presidents from power in Ecuador since 1997.
Mr. Palacio became president in April after Congress ousted former President Lucio Gutierrez.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.