Daniel Ortega re-elected for fourth term as president of Nicaragua

The president of the Supreme Electoral Council Brenda Rocha reported that with 49.25% of the votes counted, Daniel Ortega's Sandinista Front won the elections, obtaining 74.99% of the votes cast.

With 4,4 million eligible voters, the turnout was 48.8 percent, Rocha said. However, the independent electoral organization "Urnas Abiertas" pointed out that the percentage of participation would drop to 18.5%.

The International community widely saw the elections to be a sham after Ortega had arrested most of his opponents prior to election day.

In June 2021, the government arrested five potential opposition candidates for president; Cristiana Chamorro Barrios, Arturo Cruz Jr., Félix Maradiaga, Juan Sebastián Chamorro and Miguel Mora.

In July candidates Medardo Mairena and Noel Vidaurre were arrested, and Luis Fley and María Asunción Moreno went into exile citing threats of arrest. (ILKHA)