Elections in Nicaragua: the Ortega couple given the winner, the muzzled opposition boycots

General elections are being held this Sunday, November 7 in Nicaragua, without any stake since the Ortega couple, who muzzled any opposition will remain at the head of the country.

REUTERS - STRINGER

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2 min

In Nicaragua, the polling stations open this Sunday, November 7 for general elections, the outcome of which is known in advance as President Daniel Ortega and his vice president and wife Rosario Murillo have locked the ballot by muzzling the opposition. 

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The outcome of the ballot is unsurprising because the presidential couple has no real opponent. In addition to the presidential party, five micro-parties are also running in these elections, but the candidates are almost unknown and accused of being mere foils to legitimize the re-election of Daniel Ortega to a 4th consecutive term. Several opposition parties have seen their legal existence canceled, their leaders arrested or placed under house arrest - 7 presidential candidates in all. They are accused, in particular, of treason to the homeland, thanks to a new legal arsenal very opportunely voted by the National Assembly, acquired by the Sandinista party, the party in power. A ballot, therefore, totally locked whose winner is already known, recalls our special correspondent,

, blocked in Costa Rica like many special envoys of international media, who were unable to enter Nicaragua.

A ballot under close surveillance, however, since some 30,000 soldiers were deployed to monitor the polling stations, reports AFP. 

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: before the elections in Nicaragua, critical voices in prison or in exile

The basic opposition also muzzled

Three years ago,

, harshly repressed (more than 300 dead) demanded the departure of Daniel Ortega.

Today this revolt has been totally crushed and any gathering is prevented by omnipresent police forces.

The system has been strengthened for this election.

And the noose has even tightened, more broadly, in recent months on all critical voices, from human rights defenders to big bosses through journalists.

To escape prison, many Nicaraguans have left the country.

Most have applied for asylum in Costa Rica, where a large march is being held in San José, the capital.

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: In Costa Rica, the Nicaraguan elections observed by the exiles of Ortega

Opponents like this doctor met in San José who took the path of exile with his family for having questioned the management of the Covid-19 pandemic by the power in place.

Today the doctor is unemployed.

He is not allowed to practice in Costa Rica.

Taking a last sip of coffee, he explains that he takes his pain patiently.

More than five years, he smiles, is the end of the new mandate that President Ortega will inevitably win in this election without any real opponent.

"They did not call on people to stay at home or wear a mask"

Marie Normand

Opponents in exile are marching to demand the release of political prisoners, to call on Nicaraguans to stay at home, to boycott this election described as a circus, a masquerade, and ask the international community not to recognize the results.

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