Sudan's electoral commission denies obstructing monitor's work

The secretary-general of the National Electoral Commission [NEC], Dr Jalal Muhammad Ahmad, has affirmed that the percentage of voters registering in Darfur's three states, South [Sudan], Al-Damazin [Blue Nile, southeastern Sudan] and in the east is higher than those in Khartoum State.

The commission further denied accusations levelled by the Carter Centre that it was obstructing the electoral operations. Dr Jalal affirmed that the permit that was issued for the centre by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had expired and that the ministry had requested the centre to renew it and then continue monitoring the voter registration process. He pointed out in a press statement yesterday [4 November] that the NEC would not pose any obstacle to monitors. We strive to facilitate their procedures, he said and revealed that the NEC had received a number of international requests to participate in monitoring the different stages of the electoral operation most notably from Holland. [Passage omitted: Minister urges voters to register.]

Source: Al-Ra'y al-Amm, Khartoum, in Arabic 5 Nov 09

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Related terms: foreign affairs, sudan