NEC releases timetable for council of states nominations

April 30, 2010 (KHARTOUM) —The National Elections Commission (NEC) announced the timetable for electing state representatives at the Council of States to start in May.

The Council of States is composed of two representatives for each state, elected by the state legislature in accordance with the National Elections Law and procedures established by the Commission.

The supreme committee in each state supervises the election of the by overseeing the nomination and voting procedures after consultation with the NEC.

The voting process takes in the second meeting of the state council after a procedural session.

Sudan official news agency (SUNA) noted that the Council of States, which consists of 52 members including two representatives of the Abyei region, is the second in the National Legislature next to the national parliament.

In April, Sudan concluded the first multiparty elections since 1986 which saw an overwhelming victory for the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in North Sudan and the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) in South Sudan.

However, the elections were overshadowed by boycotts of major opposition parties and accusations of fraud andvote rigging.

(ST)