Voter fraud allegations directed at Nicaragua's Sandinistas

» Discuss Article    (2 Comments)

Problems with the mayoral election began well before the vote, however, when some parties were prohibited from putting up candidates, and the government raised suspicions by deciding not to accredit independent national observers and most international monitors. Observers from the European Union, the Washington-based Organization of American States and the Atlanta-based Carter Center were not invited, although those very groups successfully oversaw the election that brought Ortega back to power two years ago. After the Nov. 9 vote, the opposition asserted that marked ballots were dumped and destroyed, that party members were refused access to some of the vote counts and that tallies from many polling places were altered.

Nicaragua must restore confidence in its electoral process. The U.S. State Department has expressed concern about the election, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has joined Ortega in accusing the United States of trying to intervene in Nicaragua's internal affairs. This election must not be part of the U.S.-Venezuelan tug of war. Rather, Ortega must work with the opposition to come up with a mutually agreed-upon list of independent observers to oversee a recount of the contested results. We think that should include the same groups that ensured respect for Ortega's 2006 victory, but it also might include representatives from left-of-center governments in countries such as Brazil, Ecuador and, yes, even Venezuela, to avoid allegations of a pro-U.S. taint. The more eyes the better on Nicaragua's ongoing pursuit of democracy.