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Nicaragua chooses new president Nicaragua awaits election result
(about 5 hours later)
Nicaraguans have finished voting in elections to decide whether former Marxist revolutionary Daniel Ortega should become the next president. Votes are being counted in Nicaragua in an election that could see former Marxist revolutionary Daniel Ortega return to power as the next president.
The Sandinista leader has been leading his main challenger, the conservative Eduardo Montealegre, in opinion polls. The Sandinista leader had 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.
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.
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'
Polling stations opened at 0700 local time (1300GMT) and closed at 1800 (2400GMT Sunday). Turnout was reported to be high with some people having to join long queues to vote but so far election observers have reported no major problems.
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. Initial reports are expected in the next few hours but a winner is not expected to be declared until much later on Monday.
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 votesNICARAGUAN 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".
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.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.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.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.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.
"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."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 is being 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.
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.