The political corruption of Nicaragua in the Somoza era was defined by coercion. The electoral system is a clear example of the near criminal fraudulence of the Somoza dictatorship as a whole. In an interview from March of 1984 by the Central American news site, Envío, two electoral officials, Leonel Agüello and Roberto Everstz, from the time of the Somoza dictatorship answered questions on the process of voting in Nicaragua under the Somozas. After being questioned about the corruption during the counting process Everstz explained that, "Although the government put strong pressure on people so that they would register, there was little pressure to vote on election day. It wasn’t important whether people actually turned out to vote because, once the official voting had ended, the officials at each polling center would “vote” for all those registered voters who had failed to come to the polls." The elections would yield a predetermined candidate, either a Somoza or a puppet of the family. This completely flagitious process humiliated an already suppressed population. The Somozas were in turn a puppet for the United States, backing any and all policy and creating support so the U.S. would continue to support the government. The political corruption of the Guardia Nacional, first facilitated by the United States and then by the Somozas was a main drive for revolution. The Guardia Nacional utilized techniques of repression and were never reprimanded due to the Somozas desire to maintain the guard's loyalty. The opposition resulting in the Guardia's oppression, enraged Nicaragua's military force, so in return the Guardia Nacional became even more brutal with civilians, killing torturing and maiming meaninglessly. Political corruption was at the root of the necessity of revolution in Nicaragua.