Sudan’s Umma party may exclude some states from boycott

April 8, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The opposition Umma party in Sudan today suggested it may still contest in some states despite its decision on Wednesday to boycott elections at all level saying it cannot be held in a fair and free manner.

At a press conference in the twin capital city of Omdurman, the Umma party chief Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi said that his party’s charter authorizes him to grant some exceptions in regions included in consultation over South Sudan referendum such as Blue Nile and South Kordofan.,

Al-Mahdi said that these exceptions will be outlined in a formal statement on Friday.

This week the Umma Party took the boycott decision that after two days of meetings and getting feedback from all the members of the political bureau who differed over whether they should have a partial boycott.

The ex-Prime minister who was ousted in a military coup led by Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir said that the National Election Committee (NEC) rejection of his postponement demand meant that his participation is “meaningless” because the elections credibility will remain lacking.

He stressed that polls can be held only under a suitable environment of security, freedom and fairness and accused the NEC of continuing to register voters well after the deadline for that has expired and noted discrepancies in the voters’ lists.

Furthermore, he blasted the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of inciting hatred in its elections campaign by allowing certain groups to use slogans “that went without accountability” because they were supportive of the ruling party.

Al-Mahdi was one of the two main challengers in the presidential polls along with Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) candidate Yasir Arman who withdrew last week citing major fraud and the continuing conflict in Darfur.

Observers say that withdrawal of the largest opposition party in North Sudan further undermines the credibility of the first free elections held in this country since 1986.

The SPLM said on Tuesday that it will boycott elections in the 13 northern states of Sudan,” excluding the sensitive states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan though dissenting views within the ex-Southern rebel group have emerged contradicting this position.

(ST)