Nicaragua prepares for municipal elections

Nicaragua began a period of “electoral silence” Thursday, three days before municipal elections are scheduled on Sunday.

As established by national legislation, none of the 15 participating parties can hold public gatherings until after the elections. However, the campaign was characterized by general apathy from parties and voters, the Nicaraguan daily La Prensa reported.

Posts of mayor, deputy mayor and council members are being contested in 153 municipalities, with more than 33,000 candidates – the highest number in the history of elections in the country – due to changes in a law that increased the number of council members.

Changes in the law by the National Assembly also favored the participation of women in local government, as gender proportionality was established for nominations.

Most major cities, such as Managua, Estelí, Chinandega and Masaya, on Wednesday hosted small marches mostly in support of a coalition led by the ruling Sandinista party.