The Nicaraguan side is quite open to the work of international observers, the elections are absolutely transparent, the turnout is quite high, the head of the RSO Parliamentary Committee on Legislation, Legality and Local Self-Government Alan Gabatty, who is part of the independent international observers in the friendly republic, told the “Res” news agency by telephone.
“From 7 o'clock in the morning we have been making rounds of polling centers. There are approximately 8-12 polling stations in one electoral center, more than 5 thousand polling stations throughout the country. The electoral process is taking place in accordance with the electoral legislation and the Constitution of the Republic of Nicaragua. On this day, Nicaraguans have the right to vote for the presidential and vice-president of the republic, as well as deputies to the National Assembly (unicameral parliament) of Nicaragua and the Central American Parliament (PARLASEN),” he said.
The deputy drew attention to the fact that the people of Nicaragua are eager to participate in the elections. “At the same time, all precautions in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic are being followed. Pregnant women, the elderly and other citizens who may find it difficult to climb the stairs are provided with all the necessary assistance,” Gabatty said.
For the Russian part, nine people are taking part in the presidential and parliamentary elections in Nicaragua - two each from the State Duma, the Federation Council and the Central Election Committee, researchers from the Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Russian Society of Political Scientists.
It should be noted that the term "accompanying" in relation to international election experts was approved by the Parliament of Nicaragua in May this year, it replaced the "election observer", which is used in the Organization of American States.
According to the South Ossetian MP, the task of the observers is to make an expert opinion on how these elections are held from the point of view of local legislation and international law.
About 250 international observers and 40 journalists from America, Europe, Asia and Africa, including delegations from Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, came to follow the course of the presidential and parliamentary elections in Nicaragua.
Polling centers and precincts in Nicaragua - a total of 16,565 institutions across the country - will be receiving voters until 18:00. 4.47 million citizens over 16 years old will be able to vote in the elections.
“Our group has also included the Abkhaz delegation headed by Foreign Minister Daur Kove. For the Russian part, from the State Duma – a deputy Dmitry Novikov and from the Federation Council - Vladimir Poletaev,” Gabattyhas specified.
According to him, the election is being monitored from all political parties of Nicaragua, large institutions, universities, youth representatives are observing the elections - there are observers everywhere.
“Today the president, vice president and 42 parliament members are being elected,” he said.
The first-round winners could be a pair of presidential and vice-presidential candidates with 45% of the vote, or 35%, with a 5% lead over the next candidates. The inauguration is scheduled for January 10, the day after the start of the new parliament.
The current president, Daniel Ortega, has been leading the country for the past 14 years. Ortega is running for his fifth presidential term.
