SPLM’s Aggar elected governor of Blue Nile State

April 22, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The national electoral board today announced the election of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) candidate, Malik Aggar Eyre Gandof, as the governor of the Blue Nile State.

Malik is one of ten elected governors in northern Sudan states, all the other nine governors are from the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of the incumbent president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir who is largely expected to be reelected.

The National Elections Commission (NEC) Thursday declared Malik officially s elected governor after he won the highest number of votes, 108,119, followed by NCP candidate Farah Ibrahim Mohamed Al-Aggar who got 99417 votes.

Tension was high two days ago in the southern east state after statements by the head of the SPLM -North Sector Yasir Arman warning the NCP from rigging the results of the Blue Nile which is only northern state where his party runs for the gubernatorial post.

Arman’s statements came after an electoral forecast broadcasted by a local TV giving NCP candidate winner of the post of the Blue Nile governor. He also spoke about troop buildup in the state to contain any protest after the announcement of the results.

In 2011, residents of Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states will hold a popular consultation to get more autonomy on issues related to the local identity, culture and control of the land but they remain part of northern Sudan.

The elections for the South Kordofan governor and state legislative assembly will be held in a date to be determined later, the region participated on the national elections for the president of the republic and national legislative bodies.

(ST)