AMERICA/NICARAGUA - Bishops call on the people to participate in city elections on Sunday and to maintain their calm, so that may take place without violence

Managua (Agenzia Fides) – This Sunday, November 9, Nicaragua will elect city authorities in 146 of the 153 municipal jurisdictions. The other seven will hold elections on January 18, 2009. The main contenders in the race are the incumbent party, the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) and the alliance led by the Constitutionalist Liberal Party (PLC). The electoral campaign has taken place in a climate of tension and mistrust among the various forces. With the fear of violence on Sunday, the National Police will deploy 13,800 men and 8,000 from the National Army in order to ensure security during elections, sources from the Police and Army have stated.
The Catholic Church has made several appeals to the people, asking that they maintain their calm on Sunday, in spite of the tension and episodes of violence that have marked the election campaign. In August, Church leaders issued a Pastoral Letter encouraging all to participate in public life and in the elections, reminding them that “avoiding the responsibility to vote means neglecting the possibility of participating in the development of our cities” (see Fides 8/9/2008).
Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo has made an appeal to all Nicaraguans to vote on Sunday “with serenity and maturity, electing mayors who will work for the good of the people and who will especially care for the poor.”
Archbishop Leopoldo Brenes of Managua has asked the people to “go to the voting booths with peace and tranquility...forgiving those who offend us, rejecting all forms of hate, violence, and revenge.” He also asked that the parties do not declare victory until the Supreme Electoral Council has announced the results.
Bishop Bosco Vivas of Leon has stated that although the situation in the city of Leon is calm at present, various sectors of the population have expressed their fear that violence will break out in the area, come Sunday's elections. The FSLN leaders call Leon their “capital of the revolution,” however the elections on Sunday threaten the long-standing history of the party. Thus, the Bishop is making this call to peace and calm, “because we see that violence does not solve problems; it only complicates them.” “And although the conflict seems to die down,” he continued, “we are just sowing the seeds for future conflicts that could be even harder on Nicaraguan society...” The Prelate encourages the people to go out and vote and named three of the most important points that the Catholic Church promotes: that citizens do not refrain from their right to vote, that they make a conscientious choice, and that they seek the common good. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 7/11/2008)