Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega is set to win his fourth term in office in an election that took place with his top rivals jailed as 'terrorists' and most foreign media denied access to the country
Ortega ruled Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990, after the guerrilla ousting of US-backed Anastasio Somoza Debayle.
With seven would-be presidential challengers detained since June, 75-year-old Ortega is assured a fourth consecutive five-year term as all his opponents are dismissed as regime collaborators. The election took place without international observers and with most foreign media denied access to the country amid protests in Costa Rica, Spain, the United States and Guatemala, countries that are home to thousands of Nicaraguan exiles.
Election authorities have banned the country's main opposition alliance from contesting Sunday's vote.