MPN WARNS OF CEDULA IRREGULARITIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 001565 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN AND USOAS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KCOR SOCI OAS NU SUBJECT: MPN WARNS OF CEDULA IRREGULARITIES Classified By: Ambassador Paul Trivelli for reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Movimiento por Nicaragua (MpN) leaders warned poloffs on July 14 that Nicaragua's Supreme Electoral Council (CSE) is failing to issue national/voter ID cards (cedulas) in a fair and efficient manner. A recent MpN study of eligible voters in secondary schools revealed that only 18 percent of students aged 16 to 18 currently possess their cedula. They also reported irregularities with cedula issuances and presented copies of cedula application forms with no names filled in that were nevertheless approved for processing. MpN will present this evidence to the OAS and other members of the international community as well as the Nicaraguan media. End Summary. ¶2. (C) On July 14, poloffs met with MpN Executive Director Pilar Martinez and Board Members Klaus Stadthagen and Aurora Gurdian to discuss MpN's recent study of the cedulation process. MpN interviewed 13,381 secondary school students at 134 schools throughout Nicaragua to inquire about their cedula status. Of the total, 6,009 (45%) do not possess a cedula, 4,160 (31%) have applied for a cedula, and only 2,204 (18%) actually have a cedula. The study also inquired whether the students had birth certificates (a requirement to apply for a cedula),but most were uncertain. ¶3. (C) During the study, MpN witnessed or heard about several irregularities regarding cedula issuances. In the rural municipality of Rio Blanco, department of Matagalpa, MpN discovered several cedula applications approved by the local Departmental Electoral Council (CED) that had photos, but no names. Martinez noted that these cedulas could potentially be used by unqualified impostors. In addition, MpN officials heard rumors of "cedula houses" where FSLN and PLC activists can apply for and receive expedited cedulas, although they have not yet been able to verify the validity of these claims. ¶4. (C) MpN will submit the study results and reports of irregularities to the OAS, Carter Center, IFES, European Union and Elections Donor Group, hoping that the international community will pressure the CSE to issue cedulas to young adults in a more pro-active and nonpartisan manner. Polcouns urged the group to also bring public pressure to bear on the CSE by using the media and organizing protests if necessary. ¶5. (C) Comment: The August 6 deadline is part of Nicaragua's Citizen Identification Law (all cedulas must be applied for 90 days before the registration). Nevertheless, MpN will pressure the CSE to move the date or provide for some kind of alternative documentation if the percentage of eligible youth voters without cedulas remains high. Liberal Constitutional Party (PLC) and Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN) lawmakers recently amended the Citizen Identification Law and could do so again. Ambassador will meet with OAS electoral observation mission chiefs on July 18 to discuss the MpN study and other elections issues. For the November 5 elections to be considered truly democratic, they must be inclusive, which will not occur if large segments of the population remain disenfranchised. TRIVELLI