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Ortega to face Nicaragua voters Nicaragua votes for new president
(1 day later)
Nicaraguans go to the polls on Sunday to decide whether former Marxist revolutionary leader Daniel Ortega should become the next president. Nicaraguans are voting in elections to decide whether former Marxist revolutionary Daniel Ortega should become the next president.
The Sandinista leader has been heading his main challenger, the conservative Eduardo Montealegre, in opinion polls. The Sandinista leader has been leading his main challenger, the conservative Eduardo Montealegre, in opinion polls.
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.
His opponents say he would take the nation back to the days of the civil war with the Contra rebels. The poll is being watched by the US, which is concerned that its former Cold War enemy could be returned to power.
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'
Polling stations open at 0700 local time (1300GMT). Polling stations opened at 0700 local time (1300GMT) and are due to close at 1800 (2400GMT Monday).
NICARAGUAN CANDIDATES Daniel Ortega (above): Sandinista Front Eduardo Montealegre: Liberal Alliance Jose Rizo: Constitutionalist Liberal Party Edmundo Jarquin Calderon: Sandinista Renewal Movement Eden Atanacio Pastora Gomez: Alternative for Change href="/1/hi/world/americas/6111364.stm" class="">Q&A: Nicaragua votes Some opened late and people had to queue to cast their ballots - but the latest reports say there have been no major problems since then.
NICARAGUAN CANDIDATES Daniel Ortega (above): Sandinista FrontEduardo Montealegre: Liberal AllianceJose Rizo: Constitutionalist Liberal PartyEdmundo Jarquin Calderon: Sandinista Renewal MovementEden Atanacio Pastora Gomez: Alternative for Change Q&A: Nicaragua votes
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 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.
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".
Mr Ortega will be hoping for support from the 80% of Nicaraguans who live on at most $2 a day. But he says his revolutionary days are behind him - and his main priority is to secure foreign investment to help to ease the country's widespread poverty.
Mr Ortega has been endorsed by left-wing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
He will also be 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 US. About 50,000 people died in the conflict.
"All I learned from that time is to be frightened of the Sandinistas and to hate them," said Rolando Lopez, in the northern town of Esteli.
The BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Managua says Mr Montealegre appears to have the support of the Americans and the conservative challenger has accused Mr Ortega of links with Osama Bin Laden.The BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Managua says Mr Montealegre appears to have the support of the Americans and the conservative challenger has accused Mr Ortega of links with Osama Bin Laden.
The election will be overseen by 17,000 observers, among them ex-President Jimmy Carter of the US. The election is being overseen by 17,000 observers, among them ex-President Jimmy Carter of the US.
Preliminary results will appear late on Sunday but a winner is unlikely to be declared officially until Monday or later.Preliminary results will appear late on Sunday but a winner is unlikely to be declared officially until Monday or later.
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.