Sudan’s RNM launches campaign for poll boycott

February 11, 2015 (KKHARTOUM) – Sudan’s opposition Reform Now Movement (RNM) led by Ghazi Salah al-Din al-Attabani announced that it will launch a campaign to boycott the general elections scheduled for April.

RNM said in a press statement that the campaign will be launched at its headquarters in Khartoum on Wednesday under the slogan “Together against forging the national will”.

RNM split from the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in late 2013 over calls for reforms, transparency and democratic changes.

The movement last month has decided to suspend participation in the government-led national dialogue until the requirements of a conducive environment are met.

Last week the opposition alliance National Consensus Forces (NCF) launched its campaign for polls boycott under the slogan Erhal (Leave).

RNM leading figure, Hassan Rizg, had earlier told Sudan Tribune that they agree with the NCF on boycotting elections, but added that the two sides have not coordinated on the latter’s campaign to achieve that purpose.

On Tuesday, the Committee of Refugees and Displaced Persons in Darfur announced support to the NCF campaign for elections boycott.

Last month, the NCP deputy chairman Ibrahim Ghandour warned the opposition against inciting people to boycott elections, calling it a violation of law.

“The opposition have the right to boycott the elections but inciting citizens to boycott the process is prohibited by law,” he said.

The NCP rejects calls by Sudanese political forces to postpone the general elections scheduled for April until after the national dialogue and formation of a transitional government, saying it is a constitutional requirement that must be met.

For its part, the National Elections Commission (NEC) said that it is the only body mandated to organise the ballot under the constitution and downplayed opposition boycott calls.

(ST)