Published: 2:10 p.m. - Eduardo Montealegre, the Liberal mayoral candidate for Managua, says he will go ahead with a planned march through the streets of Managua today despite the groups of masked Sandinistas with baseball bats and mortar guns who are occupying the streets of Managua.

“They're trying to intimidate the people,” Montealegre said. “They've closed down streets all over the city. They're trying to scare me but it doesn't matter, I'm not scared.”

Montealegre and other Liberals gathered at the Princess Hilton hotel in Managua before the march, which was scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

The group of about 150 Montealegre supporters was being protected by throngs of riot police who blocked groups of Sandinistas who converged on both sides of the Liberal group.

“People are coming here saying I want my vote to count. That's what this march is about,” Montealegre said.

Montealegre alleges the ruling Sandinista party rigged the Nov. 9 elections in which he is said to be trailing Sandinista candidate Alexis Argüello for the Managua mayor seat, according to preliminary results.

Groups of Sandinista supporters gathered outside the Supreme Elections Council Tuesday morning to demand final results, which have yet to be released.

At 1 p.m., Sandinistas gathered in front of a line of riot police 100 meters from the Hotel Princess where Montealegre's group was preparing its march.

“If they try to march, the fight will begin!” said Sandinista supporter Henry Torres, who covered his face with a Sandinista-pink bandana.