* 49-year-old Correa considered a hero among the poor * Critics say he is power-obsessed, has quelled media * Leftist has alienated bond holders, oil companies * Ecuador needs investors to diversify oil-dependent economy By Brian Ellsworth and Eduardo Garcia

Polls opened Sunday in Ecuador's general election, in which President Rafael Correa is the overwhelming favorite to win re-election and possibly a majority in Congress. Balloting began throughout the South American country at 7:00 am (1200 GMT) and will end at 5:00 pm (2200 GMT), with 76,200 soldiers and police providing security, the interior ministry said. 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.

Ecuadorans head for the polls Sunday in national elections, in which President Rafael Correa is the overwhelming favorite 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, and possibly pick up a majority in Ecuador's Congress.

Almost 12 million people are eligible to vote in Ecuador's presidential election on Sunday, with President Rafael Correa tipped to win re-election by a landslide. Here are facts about the Andean nation: GEOGRAPHY Flanked by Colombia to the north and Peru to the south and east, Ecuador covers 256,370 square kilometers. It is a mountainous nation on South America's Pacific coast and home to the famous Galapagos island. Its capital, Quito, is 2,800 meters (9,186 feet) above sea level and its industrial hub is the port of Guayaquil. POPULATION, RELIGION, LANGUAGES