NCP confirms Bashir can run for president in 2015

April 22, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has reaffirmed that its rules do not prevent president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir from running in upcoming elections.

Since March of last year, Bashir said that he would not seek his re-election in April 2015 and urged the party to select a new candidate in its general convention which is expected to take place in December 2014.

However, different voices within the party objected his decision saying he is their sole candidate despite rumours over his health after throat surgery he underwent and the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“The chairman of the party has the right to run for a new mandate,” said the head of the NCP organisation sector, Hamid Sidiq, on Tuesday. “Nothing prevents his candidacy for president,” he added.

The NCP official further said that Bashir is committed to any decision that the party takes.

Bashir has launched a political process aiming to ensure democratic transition in the country and to end the ongoing conflicts in southern and western Sudan.

The national dialogue process may bring the political parties to agree on a two-year transitional period and to delay the 2015 general elections.

(ST)