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Nicaragua poll points to Ortega Nicaragua poll points to Ortega
(about 6 hours later)
Early election results in Nicaragua suggest former Marxist revolutionary Daniel Ortega could return to power as president after 16 years.Early election results in Nicaragua suggest former Marxist revolutionary Daniel Ortega could return to power as president after 16 years.
Results from just under 15% of polling stations show Mr Ortega with about 40% of the vote - enough to avoid a second round of voting if that support holds.Results from just under 15% of polling stations show Mr Ortega with about 40% of the vote - enough to avoid a second round of voting if that support holds.
The main Conservative candidate Eduardo Montealegre is trailing with 33%. Main conservative candidate Eduardo Montealegre is trailing on 33%.
Mr Ortega says he has changed from the leader who seized property from the wealthy during a 1979 revolution.Mr Ortega says he has changed from the leader who seized property from the wealthy during a 1979 revolution.
Mr Montealegre dismissed the partial results, saying he would face Mr Ortega in a run-off.
No-one has won here. We are going to a second round. Eduardo Montealegre
"No-one has won here," he said. "We are going to a second round."
He also highlighted voting irregularities, saying: "In a democracy, that is unacceptable."
The poll is being watched by the US, which is concerned that its former Cold War enemy could be returned to power.The poll is being watched by the US, which is concerned that its former Cold War enemy could be returned to power.
Chief Nicaraguan election official Roberto Rivas struck out at a US embassy statement suggesting "anomalies in the electoral process".Chief Nicaraguan election official Roberto Rivas struck out at a US embassy statement suggesting "anomalies in the electoral process".
"We have promised the Nicaraguan people transparent elections, and that's what we've done," he said."We have promised the Nicaraguan people transparent elections, and that's what we've done," he said.
Mr Ortega's opponents say he would take the nation back to the days of the civil war with the Contra rebels.Mr Ortega's opponents say he would 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 pollsNICARAGUAN 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, who is making his fourth attempt to become elected president, will be hoping to secure 35% of the vote and a five-point lead over his nearest challenger to avoid a run-off. Mr Ortega, who has unsuccessfully stood for president on three occasions following his sole success in 1984, will be hoping to secure 35% of the vote and a five-point lead over his nearest challenger to avoid a run-off.
There are five candidates in all.There are five candidates in all.
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.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. 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 US. 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 US. About 50,000 people died in the conflict.
The election was overseen by 17,000 observers, among them ex-President Jimmy Carter of the US. 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.