US Concerned Over Nicaragua Undemocratic Handling of Presidential Elections

The United States is concerned over how Nicaragua handled its presidential and parliamentary elections that concluded on Sunday, US Department of State deputy spokesman Mark Toner said in a news release.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Sunday, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega won a third term in office and his wife Rosario Murillo was elected as vice president.

"The Nicaraguan government sidelined opposition candidates for president, limited domestic observation at the polls and access to voting credentials, and took other actions to deny democratic space in the process," the release stated on Monday.

The improper oversight of the elections by the Nicaraguan government prohibited a free and fair election, while its decision not to invite independent international electoral observers further hurt the legitimacy of a fair election, the release noted.

The United States calls on the Nicaraguan government to implement democratic practices, press freedom and respect for universal human rights in consent with the Inter-American Democratic Charter, the release added.