Ortega Moves to Abolish Elections in Nicaragua After Fraud Allegations

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega Moves to Formally Abolish Elections

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has signaled an end to electoral competition, declaring that future elections will not be held to prevent the opposition from “trapping the power.” Ortega, who has governed the country since 2007, stated during the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista revolution that his administration intends to eliminate elections entirely. This move follows a series of constitutional reforms and legal actions that have systematically dismantled the country’s democratic processes over nearly two decades.

Consolidation of Power Through Constitutional Reform

The path toward the current proposal began with the systematic removal of legal barriers to indefinite rule. In October 2009, judges on the Nicaraguan Supreme Court’s Constitutional Chamber declared the article of the Constitution prohibiting consecutive presidential reelection “inapplicable.” This decision provided the legal framework for Ortega to seek subsequent terms in 2011 and beyond.

The institutional restructuring reached a new stage in February 2025, when a constitutional reform designated Rosario Murillo, Ortega’s wife, as copresident. According to EFE reporting, this effectively codified a dual-leadership structure that had been in practice since 2017, when the government moved to exclude the primary opposition party from the political arena.

Electoral Irregularities and International Scrutiny

The legitimacy of Nicaragua’s electoral process has been challenged by international bodies for years. In January 2026, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (CorteIDH) condemned the Nicaraguan state. The court concluded that the lack of integrity in the electoral process favored Ortega’s reelection, citing clear bias within the Supreme Court of Justice and the Supreme Electoral Council.

The 2021 election serves as a primary example of this trajectory. Ortega secured a majority of the vote while seven potential opposition candidates remained in prison on charges of “treason against the country.” Following these events, the 51st General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) resolved that the elections were not free, fair, or transparent, and lacked democratic legitimacy.

The Strategy of “Maintaining Power at All Costs”

Political analysts and opposition figures characterize these developments as the final stage of a long-term strategy. Eliseo Núñez, an exiled opposition politician, described Ortega as a leader willing to take any measure necessary to retain control. This approach mirrors the internal philosophy of the Sandinista Front, which has long prioritized the preservation of the government over electoral outcomes.

This ideology was previously articulated by the late revolutionary commander Tomás Borge, who stated that while anything could happen in Nicaragua, the Sandinista Front losing power was not an option. Borge’s sentiment—that the party would pay “any price” to ensure they remained in control—remains a foundational principle for the current administration’s actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When did Daniel Ortega begin his current period of continuous rule?
  Ortega returned to the presidency in 2007 following a 2006 election victory.
• Who is the current copresident of Nicaragua?
  Rosario Murillo, Ortega’s wife, was officially designated copresident in February 2025 via constitutional reform.
• What was the result of the 2021 presidential election?
  Ortega was reelected with a majority of the vote, though the OAS declared the process lacked democratic legitimacy due to the imprisonment of opposition candidates.
• Why did the CorteIDH condemn Nicaragua in 2026?
  The court ruled that the electoral process was compromised and that the country’s judicial and electoral institutions failed to provide an effective remedy for reported irregularities.

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