CSE RELEASES DRAFT ELECTORAL CALENDAR

UNCLAS MANAGUA 000666 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM NU SUBJECT: CSE RELEASES DRAFT ELECTORAL CALENDAR ¶1. (SBU) Nicaragua's Supreme Electoral Council (CSE) completed a draft calendar with key dates and deadlines for the November 5 national elections. The calendar was recently released to the political parties for consultation. After a consensus is reached with the political parties, the CSE will publish a final version. Although the Embassy obtained a copy, the calendar is not available to the public -- please protect accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) The following is a list of key dates indicated on the draft calendar: - April/June 2006: Verification of voter registry and change of voting district. CSE will finalize verification on August 7, 2006. - May 5, 2006: Deadline to register alliances of political parties. - May 26-July 20, 2006: Presentation of presidential candidates. - June 1, 2006: Official appointment of the members of the Departmental and Regional Electoral Councils. - June 16, 2006: Official appointment of the members of the Municipal Electoral Councils. - August 7, 2006: Deadline to solicit a cedula (national ID card required for voting). - August 17, 2006: Confirmation of the party and alliance casillas on the electoral ballot. - August 19, 2006: Formal opening of electoral campaign. - September 6, 2006: Deadline for the completion of requested cedulas or supplementary voting documents. - September 9, 2006: Deadline for inclusion of new voters in registry. - November 1, 2006: Formal close of electoral campaign. - November 5, 2006: Election Day and transmission of results to national computation center. - November 6, 2006: Publication of preliminary results. - November 23, 2006: Proclamation of winners (takes place after formal complaint/resolution process). - January 9, 2007: Inauguration of new President and National Assembly. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: According to contacts, these dates are essentially based on the 2001 electoral calendar. The May 5 deadline to register alliances of political parties may prove problematic if the Liberal factions ultimately decide to participate in multi-party primaries (septel),however, the dates are not yet fixed, and the parties could theoretically register the alliance with the CSE before holding the primaries. TRIVELLI