Update: Montealgre Concedes Defeat to Ortega in Nicaraguan Election
November 9, 2006

The Washington Post reports that Eduardo Montealegre has conceded the Nicaraguan presidential election to Daniel Ortega late Tuesday night.  With over 90% of precincts in, Ortega had received 35% of the popular vote with Montealegre getting 29%.  In getting over 35% of the vote and a 5 point lead over his closest opponent, Ortega secured a first round victory, avoiding a runoff election with Montealegre.

The Sandinista National Liberation Front, Ortega’s party, controls the largest number of seats in the Nicaraguan National Assembly but fell short of a majority.  Ortega has said “We can’t talk of winners or losers, this is simply a process in which we all need to work together for the good of Nicaragua,” reflecting the lack of majority and the need for party coalitions to pass any legislation. 

According to the Latin American news agency Prensa Latina former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has said “there are no doubts regarding the elections integrity.”  The same report indicates that the OAS, EU, and other international and national observing organizations agreed that the Nicaraguan electoral process was fair.

Sources:

Washington Post: Ortega Wins Back Presidency of Nicaragua
Prensa Latina: Carter Defends Nicaragua Elections