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Nicaragua poll points to Ortega Ortega wins Nicaraguan election
(about 21 hours later)
Nicaragua's former leader, Daniel Ortega, has a clear lead in the country's presidential election. Nicaragua's former leader, Daniel Ortega, has won the country's presidential election.
The one-time revolutionary has 38.6%, eight points ahead of his conservative rival Eduardo Montealegre, results from 62% of polling stations show. The one-time revolutionary has 38%, nine points ahead of his conservative rival Eduardo Montealegre, with more than 91% of votes counted.
Washington has warned that Nicaragua could lose American aid if Mr Ortega - a US foe in the 1980s - is elected. Mr Montealegre conceded to his rival, but said he would hold him to account for his promises to promote business and free trade.
Mr Ortega needs to win 40% of votes, or 35% and a five-point margin, to win outright and avoid a second round. The US pledged to work with Nicaragua's leaders, if they back democracy.
Mr Ortega led Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990. "The United States is committed to the Nicaraguan people," said White House National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
Mr Ortega says he has changed from the leader who seized property from the wealthy during the 1979 Sandinista revolution. "We will work with their leaders based on their commitment to and actions in support of Nicaragua's democratic future."
Mr Montealegre dismissed the partial results, saying he would face Mr Ortega in a run-off. Washington had previously warned that Mr Ortega's election could lose Nicaragua US aid.
No-one has won here, we are going to a second round. Eduardo Montealegre Regional leaders were quick to congratulate Mr Ortega, including a leftist ally from his earlier period in power, Cuban President Fidel Castro.
"No-one has won here," he said. "We are going to a second round." In a statement read on Cuban TV, he hailed a "Sandinista victory that fills our people with happiness".
He also highlighted voting irregularities, saying: "In a democracy, that is unacceptable." And Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a firm opponent of US policy in Latin America, enthused: "Latin America is leaving forever its role as the backyard of the North American empire. Yankee go home!"
The poll is being watched by the US, which is concerned that its former Cold War enemy could be returned to power. 'Changed man'
Chief Nicaraguan election official Roberto Rivas struck out at a US embassy statement suggesting "anomalies in the electoral process". There has been no reaction yet from Mr Ortega, who needed to win 40% of votes, or 35% and a five-point margin, to win outright and avoid a second round.
"We have promised the Nicaraguan people transparent elections, and that's what we've done," he said. He will take office in January next year.
Mr Ortega's opponents say he would take the nation back to the days of the civil war with the Contra rebels. Mr Ortega led Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990, but says he has changed from the leader who seized property from the wealthy during the 1979 Sandinista revolution.
That assessment was endorsed by former US President Jimmy Carter, who was an observer in the elections.
However, the new president's opponents have expressed concern that he will take the nation back to the days of the civil war with the Contra rebels.
'Savage capitalism''Savage capitalism'
Turnout was reported to be high with some people having to join long queues to vote, but election observers reported no major problems.Turnout was reported to be high with some people having to join long queues to vote, but election observers reported no major problems.
NICARAGUAN CANDIDATES Daniel Ortega: Sandinista FrontEduardo Montealegre: Liberal AllianceJose Rizo: Constitutionalist Liberal PartyEdmundo Jarquin Calderon: Sandinista Renewal MovementEden Atanacio Pastora Gomez: Alternative for Change Q&A: Nicaragua votes Pictures from the polls
Mr Ortega has unsuccessfully stood for president on three occasions following his sole success in 1984.Mr Ortega has unsuccessfully stood for president on three occasions following his sole success in 1984.
There are five candidates in all. HAVE YOUR SAY As a Nicaraguan, I say we need a democratic president - but we are also fed up with the US trying to control politics in Latin America Rafael, London href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4636&edition=2&ttl=20061103164044" class="">Send us your comments href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6119596.stm" class="">Pictures from the polls But the country's right wing, which previously always managed to field a single candidate against him, was divided on this occasion.
Mr Ortega has seen 16 years of conservative governments and says he wants an end to "savage capitalism".Mr Ortega has seen 16 years of conservative governments and says he wants an end to "savage capitalism".
But he says his revolutionary days are behind him - and his main priority is to secure foreign investment to help to ease widespread poverty.But he says his revolutionary days are behind him - and his main priority is to secure foreign investment to help to ease widespread poverty.
Mr Ortega has been endorsed by left-wing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
He was also hoping for support from the 80% of Nicaraguans who live on $2 a day or less.He was also hoping for support from the 80% of Nicaraguans who live on $2 a day or less.
HAVE YOUR SAY As a Nicaraguan, I say we need a democratic president - but we are also fed up with the US trying to control politics in Latin America Rafael, London Send us your comments "He is the only one who looks out for the poor. All the others are just for the rich," said William Medina at a Managua polling station.
As a Marxist revolutionary in the 1980s, Mr Ortega led the country through a decade of civil war in which his Sandinista forces fought rebels known as the Contras, who were financed by the United States. About 50,000 people died in the conflict.As a Marxist revolutionary in the 1980s, Mr Ortega led the country through a decade of civil war in which his Sandinista forces fought rebels known as the Contras, who were financed by the United States. About 50,000 people died in the conflict.
The election was overseen by 17,000 observers, among them ex-US President Jimmy Carter.
The incumbent, President Enrique Bolanos, has served the single five-year term allowed by the constitution.The incumbent, President Enrique Bolanos, has served the single five-year term allowed by the constitution.