The bill has drawn protests from women's rights groups, and one group has said it is prepared to seek an injunction to block the measure if it passed.

But the measure was supported by the leftist Sandinista National Liberation Front, whose presidential candidate Daniel Ortega is seeking not to alienate conservative voters ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

If signed into law by President Enrique Bolanos, the measure would eliminate a century-old exception to Nicaragua's abortion ban that permits the procedure if three doctors certify that the woman's health is at risk.

The Japan Times Weekly: Nov. 4, 2006
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