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Nicaragua poll points to Ortega Nicaragua poll points to Ortega
(about 6 hours later)
Nicaragua's former leader, Daniel Ortega, is heading for victory in the country's presidential polls, having won about 40% of votes counted so far. Nicaragua's former leader, Daniel Ortega, has a clear lead in the country's presidential election.
The one-time Marxist revolutionary is leading his conservative rival Eduardo Montealegre by seven points, results from 40% of polling stations show. The one-time revolutionary has 38.7%, eight points ahead of his conservative rival Eduardo Montealegre, results from 61% of polling stations show.
Washington has warned that Nicaragua could lose American aid if Mr Ortega - a US foe in the 1980s - is elected.Washington has warned that Nicaragua could lose American aid if Mr Ortega - a US foe in the 1980s - is elected.
Mr Ortega needs to win 40% of votes, or 35% and a five-point margin, to win outright and avoid a second round.
Mr Ortega led Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990.Mr Ortega led Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990.
If the current results hold, Mr Ortega would be returned to power without the need for a second round of voting. Mr Ortega says he has changed from the leader who seized property from the wealthy during the 1979 Sandinista 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.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 MontealegreNo-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.""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."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 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.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 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 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.