MANAGUA, (AFP) – The constitutional panel of Nicaragua's Supreme Court Monday struck down a constitutional ban on President Daniel Ortega seeking reelection to a second consecutive term.

''The Constitutional Branch deems unenforceable'' a constitutional provision disallowing reelection to a second consecutive term by the president and vice president, justice Francisco Rosales said on announcing the ruling.

Ortega in July said he would be seeking a referendum to change the constitution to allow him to seek reelection in 2011.

Nicaragua's constitution, amended since 1995, allows only one presidential term at a time and a maximum of two non-consecutive terms.

The constitutional panel's ruling needs to be ratified by a majority of the 16 Supreme Court justices  before it can be enforced, Rosales said.

Six supporters of Ortega on the constitutional panel voted to strike down the election provision after the president appealed the measure to the Supreme Court on Thursday.

Ortega led the 1979 Sandinista uprising that ousted the regime of dictator Anastasio Somoza, after 45 years of oppressive rule. He served as president from 1985-1990.

The revolution sparked years of unrest and its Sandinista leaders were eventually reelected to power in 2006.

Ortega, now 63, has a less radical tone but remains a committed leftist ; backed by support from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.