Null Ballot

Democracy delayed until 1985

Ever since the overthrow of Nicaraguan Dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle in July 1979, the Sandinista revolutionary government that succeeded him has been careful to temper its radical rhetoric with some solid accomplishments. Its most admired effort, for example, has been an exhaustive teaching campaign that the government claims has reduced the country's illiteracy from 50% to only about 12%. Of late, however, there have been signs that the Sandinistas are not moving as swiftly toward full democracy as their Western friends might wish. Now, in their most disappointing move to date, the Sandinistas have confirmed that there will be no elections in Nicaragua before 1985.

The first clear indication of the government's moratorium on elections came late last month in a speech by Humberto Ortega Saavedra, 34, the Defense Minister. On the same platform was the visiting President of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Carazo Odio, who had made a strong plea, as advice from a neighbor, for early elections. But when it came his turn to speak, Ortega announced that elections would not be held until 1985. "The economic and moral destruction of the country is of such magnitude that it cannot be rebuilt before 1985," he said, by way of explanation, and so "the junta will have to go on governing" until that time.

The decision, which became official a week later with a vote of the 47-member Council of State, underscored the differences and distrust that separate the government from the opposition political parties. Many of the Sandinista leaders, who enjoy the support of a majority of the Nicaraguan people, are openly scornful of the kind of rigged balloting that characterized the Somoza era. More important, the leadership remembers how the three main Sandinista factions did not join forces until the later days of the anti-Somoza struggle and is fearful that elections could destroy their new-found unity. On the other hand, the opposition groups, as well as the business community, seek assurances that Nicaraguan society will remain democratic and pluralistic.

The Sandinistas' decision to postpone elections will not make it any easier for the Carter Administration to give final approval to a $75 million loan to Nicaragua. Before signing the loan bill, President Carter is obliged to certify to the U.S. Congress that Nicaragua is not violating any of the democratic provisions specified by the bill. The chances are that Carter will put off signing the bill until after the November elections. To sign it now might give the Republicans a campaign issue that the President scarcely needs.

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