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MARTINEZ: FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS
November 2, 2006 -
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today called on the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) to help ensure a free, fair and inclusive election in Nicaragua. In a letter to Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza, Martinez urged the OAS to play a key role in ensuring the legitimacy of the upcoming election.Martinez said:
“I am writing to make sure you are aware of reports coming from Nicaragua that the Ortega-Aleman pact (“pacto”) is exerting its influence on the Supreme Electoral Council. I am very concerned over the claim that the Supreme Electoral Council has not been properly distributing voter cards (cedulas). It is imperative that this process be monitored to ensure that voter cards are distributed to the Nicaraguan people in a timely manner for the November 5th election.
We all remember how the Sandinistas manipulated the vote during the municipal elections in Granada in November of 2004, and therefore we must make sure that the actions of 2004 are not repeated on November 5 – just a few days away.
I urge you and the OAS observer mission in Nicaragua to take an active role in securing that true, fair and open elections take place. To that end, not only must the Nicaraguan people receive their voting cards in time to vote, but the OAS must also work to ensure the integrity of the voter tabulation process after the election.
This election should be decided by the Nicaraguan people. I am hopeful that the OAS under your leadership will work to ensure that the true voice of the Nicaraguan people is heard on Election Day.”
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