QUITO -(Dow Jones)- Ecuador's Constituent Assembly has strong support, according to the latest poll by Cedatos-Gallup International.

The poll, published Tuesday, shows around 59% are in favor of the "full powers" that the Constituent Assembly has claimed, and 62% of respondents approve of its performance.

Members of the assembly who were elected earlier this year took their seats in the assembly last week. The 130 members of the assembly have the task of writing a new constitution.

Allies of President Rafael Correa have a majority in the assembly.

The survey revealed that 52% of citizens approve of the fact that the assembly can dismiss any person or institution that doesn't carry out its decisions.

The Cedatos survey took place between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and polled 1,167 people from 10 cities. The margin of error is three percentage points.

Last week the assembly said that the current Congress was in "recess" and took over its duties. The assembly also ratified Correa as president and Lenin Moreno as vice president.

The poll said that 69% of respondents agreed with the closing of Congress, and 76% agreed with with Correa's ratification.

In contrast, only 35% of those interviewed said they agreed with the fact that members of the assembly are protected from any legal proceedings.

Cedatos data also showed that Correa's approval rating is at 72% and the president's credibility rating is at 62%, similar to levels found a month before.

Only a simple majority is needed to make decisions in the Constituent Assembly, which will meet for six months, a period that can be extended by two months, but with full powers it can decide whatever it wants.

The final text from the assembly needs to be approved in a national referendum.

-By Mercedes Alvaro, Dow Jones Newswires; 5939-9728-653; mercedes.alvaro@ dowjones.com

  (END) Dow Jones Newswires   12-04-07 1550ET   Copyright (c) 2007 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.