Regional Focus - 17 November 2008

In what was the first major electoral test for President Daniel Ortega since he assumed power in 2006, the ruling Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (FSLN) took at least 91 of the 146 municipalities up for grabs in Nicaragua's municipal elections on 9 November, according to preliminary results. The victories included, crucially, the capital Managua. However, the elections were overshadowed by accusations of fraud and irregularities, caused in part by the refusal of the supreme electoral court (CSE) to authorise experienced electoral monitors to oversee the process. The CSE agreed to a recount in Managua, but the result was unchanged.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 961 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options

• Subscribe
• Sign up for a one-time, 14-day trial