Sudan says 69 parties registered for elections
June 1, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese board for political parties said today that 69 parties have formally registered ahead of the 2010 elections.
Mohamed Bashara Dousa the head of the board told reporters that these parties are the only ones allowed to run in the elections.
Dousa also said that the registered parties will be allowed to conduct political rallies and conventions.
The major parties include the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), Sudan people Liberation Movement (SPLM), Umma Party, Democratic Unionist Party, Popular Congress Party and Sudanese communist party.
The last general election, in April 1986, was won by the Umma party of Sadiq Al-Mahdi, whose government was overthrown in a 1989 coup that brought Al-Bashir to power. In a presidential election boycotted by the opposition and held in December 2000 Bashir secured 86% of votes.
The elections were originally scheduled for July 2009 but were rescheduled to February 2010 due to logistical issues as well as challenges and delays in milestones such as census, press and security law as well as North-South border dispute
Last month an alliance of 17 Sudanese opposition parties have threatened to boycott elections unless changes are made to “freedom restricting laws” including press law and the existence of a “good election record”.
But some observers say that despite its reservations opposition parties will be hesitant to boycott the elections leaving the NCP with the potential for a landslide victory.
(ST)
Akol Liai Mager
Sudan says 69 parties registered for elections
The good news is that there are fresh indications about the complete exit of Lam Akol from SPLM.
Lam Akol Ajawin, one of patriotic Southern Sudanese heros in 1980s now drown in Ocean waters of tribalism, hatred and power-thirst.
He will be remebered for his; engineered Nasir failed Coup attempt, deserting his then Boss Riek Machar, formation of NIF South Sudan faction under the cover of Fashoda SPLM Faction, rejoining SPLM Mum as an agent for NIF Mum, his appointment as foreign minister the mistake made by the current SPLM leadership, the Kennana Sugar Forum and now his new reformed NIF Faction again under the cover of SPLM for democratic change.
The man finally got something to be president of.