U.S. Supports Democratic Elections in Nicaragua
On November 5, 2006, Nicaraguans will elect a new President, Vice President, members of the National Assembly, and the Central American Parliament. The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing approximately $12 million for election support activities that include voter registration, technical assistance to the Supreme Electoral Council (CSE), domestic and international observation, and civic education.
“These funds represent the strong commitment my government has made to free and democratic elections in Nicaragua,” said Paul Trivelli, U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua. “They are providing significant technical assistance and support for the Nicaraguan electoral process.”
Programs supported by U.S. funds are being implemented by non-governmental organizations including the International Republican Institute (IRI), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES). In addition, a direct grant to the Organization of American States supports international election observation before, during, and after the November elections.
USAID’s electoral support program includes funding for civic education and voter awareness campaigns to “Get out the Vote” that encourage Nicaraguans to register and to vote on Election Day. The program financed seven Citizen Attention Centers, located in Managua, Leon, Masaya, Esteli, Granada, Chinandega, Matagalpa, and Río Blanco, that provide Nicaraguan citizens information, forms and transportation to apply to the Supreme Electoral Council (CSE) for a national identification card, which will allow them to vote in the upcoming national elections.
The U.S. funds also support technical and material assistance to the Nicaraguan Supreme Electoral Council (CSE) for cedula inventory and delivery, training for CSE workers, CSE voter education and awareness campaigns, a CSE website and hotline support, and CSE support for handicapped voters.
The funds provided to the NGOs, the OAS, and the CSE will benefit all political parties through technical assistance and elections support. This assistance and support includes: training for CSE departmental and municipal electoral officials; publication of political party poll watcher manuals; quick count training; and specific training on the results of the national voter roll audit to all five parties.
In addition to the United States, other countries providing support for free and fair elections in Nicaragua are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the European Union.
