Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega secured a fourth consecutive term in a presidential election many in the international committee called a sham. 

Leading up to and during Sunday's election, some Western and Latin American countries expressed doubt over election fairness and the detainment of opponents, business leaders and others. 

Journalists were also banned from entering the country and election observers from the European Union and the Organization of American States could not monitor the election. 

With about half of the votes counted, a preliminary tally showed Ortega won with 75% of votes, according to Nicaragua’s Supreme Electoral Council. As voters went to the polls, exiled Nicaraguans in Costa Rica protested the election. 

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