Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and his extravagant wife, Rosario Murillo, looked likely to win elections Sunday that would hand him a third straight term and cement her role as co-ruler. Voters filed through polling stations across the Central American nation of six million to select their president and lawmakers in their National Assembly.
Multiple state television channels emphasized the "calm" and "order" exhibited, and broadcast get-out-the-vote messages from Catholic Church officials.
Foreign observers were barred from monitoring the election, though some Organization of American States representatives were present to "learn" details of the vote.
Polling was scheduled to close at 6:00 pm (0000 GMT Monday), with results expected hours later.
Voter intention surveys credit Ortega with an insurmountable lead over rivals.
The 70-year-old former Marxist rebel is widely popular - especially with Nicaragua's poor who account for more than a third of the population - for social programs and economic stability and security that has promoted vibrant growth.
If he triumphs, it would be Ortega's fourth presidential mandate. He has served two consecutive terms since 2007, and previously between 1985 and 1990, when his Sandinista National Liberation Front emerged victorious from a revolution that toppled a dictatorial dynasty.
Murillo, 65, already fills a prominent role as his government's spokeswoman. With Ortega increasingly reluctant to make public appearances, she has stepped up - wearing trademark colorful dresses and ostentatious jewelry - to represent the administration.
She has also left her mark on the capital, ordering the erection of tall, metal "trees of life" that decorate the main boulevard in bright colors.
Many observers believe "La Companera" (the companion), as she is known, already shares decisions with Ortega and could become president herself if he bows out, or in the next elections.
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