Media Center

Press Release

OAS RECEIVES PRE-ELECTORAL REPORT ON NICARAGUA

The Chief of the Electoral Observation Mission in Nicaragua, former Bolivian Foreign Minister Gustavo Fernández, said today that although pre-electoral conditions in that country “are not ideal, they can be improved.” Fernández presented a detailed overview of the Nicaraguan political and institutional situation, in a verbal report to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS).

In his report on the period prior to the November 5 elections, which was requested by the Nicaraguan Mission to the OAS, Fernández told the Permanent Council that the OAS Electoral Observation Mission will continue working in Nicaragua to support free, transparent elections that meet international guidelines and respect the principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

Speaking to the 34 member state representatives, Fernández referred specifically to the conflict between branches of government, the partisan composition of electoral bodies, an imprecise electoral law, an electoral registry with deficiencies, and a slow and inappropriate voter registration process, as well as operational and logistical limitations and a polarized and confrontational political tradition.

OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza thanked Fernandez for the report, which he said demonstrates that, despite the difficulties, “we are in control of the situation.” He noted that the electoral and political process in Nicaragua has seen both progress and setbacks. “What we are trying to ensure is a normal election under normal conditions, an election that in the framework of international and hemispheric standards meets the basic requirements and is a good election – and we are advancing in that direction. I believe the Mission is well equipped to reach those objectives,” he stated.

Fernández told the Permanent Council, chaired by Ambassador Henry L. Illes of Suriname, that to date, there are 3,450,000 citizens included in the electoral registry and that number is expected to increase by 100,000 by November. The head of the mission urged increased cooperation with national and international organizations in compiling key statistics and population data. He urged the Nicaraguan electoral authorities to carry out a complete audit of the registry during the post-electoral phase.

Fernández also drew attention to other challenges that he recommended that Nicaraguan authorities address, such as the training of electoral workers, the organization of the voting process, the tallying of votes and data transmission, as well as the political and social environment after the elections. Regarding these issues, the former Bolivian Foreign Minister said that “we must try to prevent problems, but we must have confidence in the intelligence and civic spirit of Nicaraguan citizens and their institutions.”

The Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the OAS, Ambassador José Luis Velásquez, expressed his government’s support of the work carried out by the observation mission in his country and requested that another pre-electoral report be presented to the Permanent Council 30 days before the November 5 vote. He also informed the Council about a bill that President Enrique Bolaños sent to the National Assembly yesterday, seeking a 30-day extension of the registration process to guarantee that the Nicaraguan people can exercise their voting right.

Representatives of the member states agreed that the Nicaraguan electoral process must lead to legitimate, free, transparent and impartial elections. They reiterated their confidence that an updated and audited registry and a balanced selection of electoral authorities can be attained. They applauded the efforts that the Nicaraguan government and the OAS have carried out toward the full development of the democratic process in that country.

Reference: E-164/06