Bashir issues expulsion warning to foreign poll observers
March 22, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir today issued a strong warning to foreign election monitors threatening to expel them if they call for delaying the polls scheduled for April.
The warning appears directed at the US based Carter Center which last week called for a slight delay in elections because of logistical and procedural issues.
The center said Sudan’s first competitive elections since 1986 “remains at risk on multiple fronts” including the ability of candidates to campaign freely and the impact of delayed preparations for the complex vote.
“It is increasingly unclear if the (National Election Commission) can deliver a successful election on time,” the report said.
However, Bashir responded angrily with strong rhetoric to the call during an elections rally at the Red Sea city of Port Sudan.
“We brought these organizations from outside to monitor the elections, but if they ask for them to be delayed, we will throw them out……..any foreigner or organization that demand the delay of elections will be expelled sooner rather than later ” he said.
“We wanted them to see the free and fair elections, but if they interfere in our affairs, we will cut their fingers off, put them under our shoes, and throw them out,” he added.
The threat brought back to memory Bashir’s decision last year to expel 13 foreign aid agencies from war stricken Darfur after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him on charges of war crimes. He stuck to his decision despite international pressure.
Reuters said that the Center declined to comment until it was able to review the president’s speech.
Sudan is set to stage its first multi-party elections in 24 years from April 11 to 13 as part of a 2005 peace agreement that ended a decades-old civil war between north and south.
Last week 17 opposition parties pushed a memo to the presidency requesting that April elections be postponed until next November in order to allow for major reforms in a number of laws primarily relating national security and media. They gave the government until Thursday to respond positively or else face the possibility of boycotting the elections.
The Sudanese National Elections Commission (NEC) deputy chairman Ahmed Abdullah said “the Carter Center relies on false information that did not come from us,” and insisted the elections would take place on April 11 as planned.
“Publishing this information could have a negative impact on the electoral process,” he told reporters on Monday.
The opposition has criticized NEC saying it is biased towards the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and turning a blind eye to violations of electoral law.
Mubarak al-Fadil head of the Umma Reform and Renewal Party (URRP) told Reuters the warning made it clear Bashir was worried.
“He [Bashir] is very nervous. He may do it,” al-Fadil said.
Observers say the NCP is desperately seeking to acquire legitimacy through the elections in face of the ICC warrant for Bashir.
(ST)
sudanman
Bashir issues expulsion warning to foreign poll observers
shame on you mr.president.if you think it is fair elections, why are you giving strong warning to the international observer?
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
Bashir issues expulsion warning to foreign poll observers
No matter what mr criminal on run, We are different nation in Sudan. South Sudan will soon be change to Victoria or Democratic Republic of Victoria DRV, because we have achieved the long struggle victory right from bush up to date. It is only corruption that hold the image of my people too behind. The only observers I would admit to come would from USA, UK, Kenya, Uganda, France and Isareal. The rest of World I will not accept. Eqypt, Iran, Palestine, Saudi, Ethiopia, Nigeria and rest are all Islamic countries not accepted.
Shuggar
Bashir issues expulsion warning to foreign poll observers
Your reactions, Mr. president demonstrate the degree of Hysteric, Panic and Mandness state you are experiencing for the fear of losing the election.
These reactions will lead you to nowhere, the NCP. You better accept defeat as predicted than doing something stupid that would wipe out in a blow. Your days are numbered even though you plan for an uneasy step down.
Northsudanes
Bashir issues expulsion warning to foreign poll observers
Hey my people from the south we need this omar al bashir to be out from sudan because he is crminal and murder so i advice any one from the south don’t vote for omar al bashir because i guarantee you that al bashir he might play game on the refurndom time guys. so however who is behind al bashir is an idoit don’t know nothing and i don’t care if country split into two but we don’t need this crminals at all. can you be tire always open tv or read news or anything else you want watch but you always will see his crminal face on tv, how dum are people are when they do that looking at him i personally i don’t care about him and always what he does is talking about fight and the big opportunity we miss over pass decad is education and devlopment and unity that will never fix again under al bashir addminstration at all think about. thank u
telfajbago
Bashir issues expulsion warning to foreign poll observers
These warnings is slap on the faces of those who had being nurturing hopes to democratize Sudan under the rules of the Islamic Jihadist of Sudan. It is absolutely clear that the regime still miles far to abide by the International laws that governing peaceful transformation or exchange of power through elections; despite bundles of signed peace agreements. it’s with this Taliban-like mentality that drove Al-Bashir mad to wage vicious war in South Sudan and still committing genocide in Darfur. the next step remaining for Al-Bashir is to declare the Country under emergency laws,if the rigging of the elections was chellenged.
Akuma
Bashir issues expulsion warning to foreign poll observers
H.E GEN. EL-BASHIR:
You are fueling your International Criminal Court indictment again to the World. If you temper to chase those international election observers out of the coutry. How long have you stay in power.
There is time for everything in life. Once you said foreign electon observers must be expel out is unrealistic, your time has elapse. We are in time of democracy not dictatorship again.
Dr. Akuma,
Chicago, USA
Jamesco Deng
Bashir issues expulsion warning to foreign poll observers
Mr. president,
Turning this ugly face always to rightious people is a great sin before God. Any work all over the world is done collaboratively. This is not the Arabic country of the olden days and it is obvious that you have already strategize your ways of rgging this election, we were at war because of such dictatorail behaviors.
Any way, it doesn’t concern us in the South to pospone this election, but mind you, you don’t have to put your dirty hands in to our referendum schedule that will ignite the fire. All Southerners are for that, I mean to say that we are ready to separate from your islamic states soon.
No thank