By Victoria Nuland
US Department of State

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- We call on Nicaraguan authorities to ensure the upcoming national elections in Nicaragua will be free and transparent and represent the will of the Nicaraguan people.

We remain concerned about apparent irregularities in the Nicaraguan electoral process. We specifically note the Nicaraguan Government’s failure to accredit certain credible domestic organizations as observers, difficulties faced by voters in obtaining proper identification, and pronouncements by Nicaraguan authorities that electoral candidates may be eliminated after the elections.

Recalling the provisions of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, the Government of Nicaragua should ensure the conditions for free and fair elections by allowing members of opposition parties, members of the media, and all individuals in Nicaragua to express their views freely, allowing all political parties to participate in the elections, and allowing credible domestic and international groups to observe the elections. The Government of Nicaragua should also ensure that the campaign and the elections will be free of intimidation, violence, and harassment of Nicaraguan voters who wish to exercise their human rights, including the right to vote in genuine elections.