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US President Joe Biden on Sunday denounced Nicaraguan presidential elections as a "sham.”

In a White House statement, Biden said "What Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, orchestrated today was a pantomime election that was neither free nor fair, and most certainly not democratic."

Biden accused Nicaragua's government of imprisoning nearly 40 opposition figures, including potential presidential candidates, since May.

Nicaragua Elections

On Sunday, Nicaraguans voted for a new president and legislature for the next five years. Simultaneously, the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front confirmed longtime President Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, as candidates and running mates.

A number of parties participated in the event: Along with Ortega, the Constitutional Liberal Party, the Independent Liberal Party, the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance, the Nicaraguan Christian Way, and the Alliance for the Republic were involved.

On her account, President of the Supreme Electoral Council Brenda Rocha told Sputnik that elections were held in a calm atmosphere, with a high turnout.

Rocha added that US threats of additional sanctions, as well as claims that elections in Nicaragua are not democratic, failed to obstruct a transparent and fair voting process. 

The electoral council's head affirmed that 15 political parties took part in the elections, which were held in accordance with the will of the Nicaraguan people rather than foreign powers.

It is worth mentioning that Washington and the European Union have already imposed sanctions on Ortega In June. A month later, the US imposed visa restrictions on 100 members of Nicaragua's National Assembly and judicial system.