Sudan ready for elections to proceed, says official
April 11, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The head of Sudan’s National Election Commission (NEC) Mukhtar al-Asam announced the completion of preparations for the start of the vote in all of the 18 states on Monday.
Al-Asam announced the arrival of 221 observers from 25 organisations from 11 countries.
According to statements made by NEC officials, the number of those eligible to vote is roughly 13 million.
Al-Asam projected the voter turnout to be line with international averages of 15% to 45%.
The voting process will last three days amid boycott by major opposition parties who assert that the elections will never be fair and free in a repressive environment created by the government.
But al-Asam argued that numbers of observer missions for this elections are double those in the 2010 vote.
He also dismissed the European Union (EU) position which expressed doubts on the credibility of the elections.
The NEC chief said he communicated to the EU envoys in Khartoum that the elections is a constitutional requirement that cannot be postponed without an amendment.
He said that the extension of the government term is improper and leads to a lot of problems, citing the example of the situation in South Sudan, where the parliament recently approved the extension of President Salva Kiir term.
“Did [South Sudan] survive the criticism? On the contrary, it was accused of being a failed government,” he said.
The EU said in a statement on Thursday that it will not send a mission to observe this elections.
“When dialogue is bypassed, some groups are excluded and civil and political rights are infringed, the upcoming elections cannot produce a credible result with legitimacy throughout the country,” said the statement attributed to attributed to the EU representative of foreign affairs and security affairs and vice-president of the commission, Federica Mogherini.
“The people of Sudan deserve better. We therefore chose not to engage in support of these elections,” she added.
Canadian foreign minister Rob Nicholson echoed the same sentiments.
“Canada” is disappointed by the failure of Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, to deliver on his promise to hold an inclusive national dialogue in the lead-up to the Sudanese general and presidential elections,” he said in a statement.
Over the last year, Sudanese authorities have been accused of repeatedly seizing newspaper print runs, ordering political arrests, including those of opposition leaders, and hindering election activities and targeting civilians in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
“These actions have obstructed the emergence of a free and open democratic process and have led many opposition parties to boycott the elections. As a result, the outcome of the elections will not reflect the will of all Sudanese people,” said Nicholson.
Bashir and his ruling National Congress Party (NCP) are expected to easily sweep the elections at all levels.
The NCP has vowed not to contest in 30% of the constituencies to allow other parties to claim their seats.
(ST)