Other participants in the press conference included the Center's Americas Program Director Jennifer McCoy, Americas Program Senior Associate Director Shelley McConnell, Carter Center consultant David R. Dye, and Chief of Mission Jaime Aparicio.

Read the full statement.

2006 Nicaragua Elections:
An Overview

General elections:
November 5, 2006

Voter verification process:
Nicaraguans must confirm their presence on the voting lists in the offices of their Municipal Electoral Councils before Aug. 6, 2006.

Electoral rules:
A candidate needs 35 percent of the vote, or 30 percent and a five-point lead over the number two contender, to win the presidency outright and avoid a second round of elections. There are three presidential candidates; a fourth candidate died suddenly July 2 and has not yet been replaced.

Political parties:

• Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (FSLN)
• Partido Liberal Constitucional (PLC)
• Alianza Liberal Nicaraguense's (ALN-PC)
• Movimiento de Renovación Sandinista (MRS)