Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega picks wife as his vice presidential running mate

The former rebel leader is looking to secure his third consecutive term - and his fourth in total

Mr Ortega is seeking his third term (AP)

The president of Nicaragua has picked his wife for his vice presidential running mate ahead of elections November that he is expected to win.

Daniel Ortega, a 70-year-old former guerrilla leader, made the announcement as he registered his own candidacy for re-election for a third term in succession.

Mr Ortega has previously described the “joint government” with Rosario Murillo as a symbol of equality between the sexes, the Associated Press said.

Mr Ortega said the ticket would represent gender equality (AP)

"We don't doubt that (the vice presidential candidate) had to be a woman, and who better than the partner who has already been tested with work and proved to be very efficient and disciplined?” Mr Ortega said on Tuesday, cheered by dozens of supporters.

Ms Murillo previously served as the government's chief spokeswoman. The November 6 vote will also elect Nicaragua's 90-member national assembly.

The opposition Independent Liberal Party and Constitutionalist Liberal Party are also running, although a poll published last week put Mr Ortega's support at 65 percent and his opponents trailing far behind.

Mr Ortega first ruled the Central American country in the 1980s and returned to power as head of the leftist Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) party in 2007.

Ms Murillo has been affiliated with the FSLN since the 1970s. The couple were married in 2005.