http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/433784611

Observing Nicaragua's elections, 1989-1990

In August 1990, President Ortega, the SEC, and UNO each sent letters to former President Carter, as Chair of the Council of Freely-Elected Heads of Government, inviting him to form a delegation to observe the electoral process. President Carter accepted and assembled an international and bipartisan delegation of 34 people. For the first time in Nicaraguan history, all of the political parties that began the electoral campaign completed it, and all agreed to accept and respect the vote both before the election and afterwards. A significant majority voted for change, electing Violeta Chamorro over then President Ortega, and the fact that FSLN and UNO parties together won more than 95 percent of the vote reflected a polarization of the country. The OAS provided excellent fieldwork with observers who came to know the regions well, were trusted by both sides, and whose presence helped contain violence and resolve conflicts. Voting procedures were excellent. A secret vote and honest count occurred.

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