ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Sudan rejects UN monitoring for elections, Sudan Tribune (2010)

According to the ruling National Congress Party, the UN cannot be monitoring the April 2010 elections since it would be outside of the scope of the National Election Law, which authorizes specific countries and parties to participate in election observation. The statement was a reaction to remarks made by Umma Reform and Renewal Party leader Al-Fadil who called for free and fair elections administered by the UN in a manner similar to countries such as DRC or Afghanistan.

Sudan President Bashir starts re-election bid, BBC News (2010)

The ruling National Congress Party has now officially nominated current President Omar al-Bashir to stand for presidential elections in April 2010. President Bashir stepped down as a commander-in-chief in accordance with the electoral law, so that he can become a presidential candidate. The southern SPLM party is also expected to announce its candidate later this week, while violence in the South is still ongoing.

Sudan: SPLM's presidential candidate says confident of election victory, VOA News (2010)

Sudan People's Liberation Movement presidential candidate, Yassir Arman, who was recently arrested after participating in a protest for democratic reforms, said the election will be credible despite vote rigging allegations. With a program aiming at giving "just position to Darfur" and struggling for transformation and democratization, the SPLM leader said he's confident of winning the election.

Sudan extends deadline for election nominations, Reuters (2010)

Taking into consideration the candidates' complaints that they haven't had enough time to prepare the nominations for the April 11 elections, the election officials extended the deadline until January 27. However, this should not affect the election date.

Sudan's ousted Sadiq al-Mahdi enters election race, BBC News (2010)

Sudan's former prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi, who was elected in the last multi-party elections in 1986 and overthrown by the current leader Omar al-Bashir, announced that he will contest in the upcoming presidential elections.

Sudan: Chaos before stability, Pambazuka News (2010)

This article gives Savo Heleta's analyses on Sudan’s current political situation and asks how suitable and feasible the planned April 2010 elections are.

Sudan: Upper Nile gearing up for elections, Relief Web (2010)

The Upper Nile State High Committee has identified 420 polling stations and counting on the help of the UNMIS to distribute elections materials to remote areas.

Sudan archbishop says April election can begin Sudan's transformation, US Catholic (2010)

The Archbishop of Sudan has appealed the voters to know more about the candidates before casting their votes and says this election can begin Sudan's transformation.

Protesters march against Sudan vote "clampdown", Reuters (2010)

A rare public rally held by more than 200 political activists in Khartoum on 4 March accusing authorities of clamping down on meetings and campaigns weeks ahead of elections.

AU Security Body Upbeat on Sudan Election Prospects, VOA News (2010)

The African Union Peace and Security Council says Sudan's elections for president and parliament have a reasonable chance of success in an outlook for Sudan's upcoming national elections.

South Sudan election candidate complains of arrests, Reuters (2010)

Dozens of supporters of a leading independent contesting the governorship of the region's main oil state South Sudan's government have been arrested.

Lack of Sudan voter awareness a major concern: EU, Reuters (2010)

A lack of Sudanese voter education is the major concern for the European Union's chief elections observer, who launched her mission on 11 March to monitor Sudan's first multi-party polls in 24 years.

Sudan: Darfur's election dilemma, BBC (2010)

Arranging an election in an area where many people live in refugee camps is far from straightforward in Darfur.

Sudan's Upper Nile youth on prevention of elections hostilities, Sudan Tribune (2010)

The youth from the Upper Nile state in Sudan held an awareness meeting on election hostility, with the aim to prevent the occurrence of violence during the upcoming elections. They fear that the campaigns will polarize communities and will degenerate into violence during elections, especially as many people are inexperienced voters. Therefore, they want to extend the initiative to other counties in the Upper Nile state and beyond.

South Sudan Journalists Facing Intimidation Before Election, VOA News (2010)

The Agency for Independent Media says since January, security forces in South Sudan have been clamping down on local media for broadcasting or printing content not approved by government officials

Sudan board partially delays election in South Kordofan, Sudan Tribune (2010)

The electoral process in South Kordofan state of Sudan has been partially postponed by the elections commission, following an accord reached by the two peace partners.

Sudan prez threatens to expel election observers, Washington Post (2010)

This article is on the threatening of Sudan's president to expel foreign observers over their recommendations to delay the country's first multiparty elections in decades due in April.

Q&A on Sudan elections, BBC (2010)

These are questions and answers on Sudan's first democratic election in 24 years when voters head for the polls from 11-13 April to elect their next president. They will also vote for members of the 450-seat National Assembly and governors for the county's 25 states, as well as members of state assemblies. Voters in the semi-autonomous southern region will additionally elect a president of the South Sudan government and members of its 171-seat Assembly.

UN: Clashes on Rise in South Sudan as Polls Near, VOA News (2010)

The incidents of inter-tribal violence have escalated in South Sudan before key elections, killing 450 and displacing nearly 60,000 since the beginning of this year , a U.N. official says. The April vote is to be Sudan's first multi-party polls in 24 years.

Southern Sudan Official Wants Mechanism to Prevent Election Violence, VOA News (2010)

A top official in the Government of Southern Sudan is expressing confidence that steps will be taken to prevent violence in the upcoming general elections scheduled for April 11-13.