UNDP funds $91m programme to support Sudan’s election
December 18, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will fund a program worth of 91 million U.S. Dollars to support the general elections in the country, Sudan’s electoral board Thursday announced yesterday.
2010 poll in Sudan will be the first in more than 20 years under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended over two decades of civil war in the country. The lack of infrastructures and roads as well as trained staff implies more expenditure to reach remote and isolated areas.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) said the UNDP’s grant means to enhance the NEC’s capacity of organizing the elections, slated for April 2010.
The UNDP program, which is funded by the governments of Italy, United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Japan, Netherlands, France and the European Commission, will cover all the materials needed for the elections including voting cards, ballot boxes, and educational campaigns for voters, together with training sessions for election officers and local police.
Media and civil society organizations and community activists would also benefit from this donation through provision of skills training to provide people with accurate and unbiased information about elections.
The head of the NEC praised the support of the international community. Abil Alier said in remarks delivered during the signing ceremony that the program indicated commitment of the international partners to support the electoral process in the country.
“With the financial support, provided by the donors, the NEC can affirm its ability to organize free, fair and credible elections”, he added.
In its 2010 budget, Sudan’s allocated 790 million Sudanese pounds (around 350 million USD) for the general election and the preparation for southern Sudan referendum for self-determination.
On the other development, The National Congress Party (NCP) said it is ready to nominate its candidates for gubernatorial positions and legislature positions in both National and State Assemblies before the end December.
All Elections Committees in states will have to strictly follow nomination procedures to nominate one final candidate among five in each state.
(ST)