Nicaraguan bishop applauds participation in presidential election

Published: 2006-11-08

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (CNS) -- A bishop in northern Nicaragua applauded the high citizen participation in his country's presidential election and the smoothness of the electoral process. The Nov. 5 election was "very calm, serene and organized," said Bishop Juan Mata Guevara of Esteli, general secretary of the Nicaraguan bishops' conference. The Diocese of Esteli sent 107 election observers to 26 municipalities in the northern part of the country. With the exception of the late opening and early closure of some voting stations, Bishop Mata said, the voting process was transparent and organized. Sandinista candidate Daniel Ortega, a former president and one-time Marxist rebel, won the election over four other competitors. During his campaign, Ortega emphasized peace, love and reconciliation. At his campaign closing, he urged fans to pray to God to ease the fears of those who worry that his return to power would bring back the hard times faced by Nicaraguans during his previous administration.

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