Nicaragua´s opposition politicians say they´re not yet giving up on a bid to redo the Nov. 9 elections they claim were rigged by the ruling Sandinista party after a vote in Congress yesterday fell three votes short of a quorum.
Opposition legislators say they will launch a campaign to “convince” swing voters in Congress – namely six Liberal Nicaragua Alliance (ALN) legislators –Â to back their bid to annul the elections amid allegations of electoral fraud.
The opposition needs 47 of 90 votes to annul the election results and set up a revote next year. But President Daniel Ortega has said he opposes any attempt to annul the elections as unconstitutional and even signed a decree blocking the opposition´s proposal.
Independent legislator Jamileth Bonilla, an ex-Liberal who tends to vote along her former party line, said she will support the proposal and will help lead a push to convince other swing voters like herself that the Nov. 9 elections must be annulled. The National Assembly is set to vote on the issue again on Tuesday.
“We´ve lacked the tact to convince ALN legislators,” Bonilla said, adding “that´s the job we have to do now.”
Bonilla added that if the ruling Sandinista party gets away with rigging the Nov. 9 mayoral elections as alleged, there´s no reason President Daniel Ortega won´t try to do the same in an attempt to seek reelection.
Visit www.nicatimes.net for more news from Nicaragua.
