Sudanese general election, 2010

Sudanese presidential election, 2010
5 April–12 April 2010

Sudanese parliamentary election, 2010
To be determined
5 April–12 April 2010

Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held from 5 April to 12 April 2010 at the end of a transitional period which began when the decades-long Second Sudanese Civil War finally came to an end in early 2005.

A census, which is necessary for the election to be held, was initially planned to be held in July 2007, then from 15 November 2007 onwards, then delayed to be held from 2 February 2008 onwards due to funding issues.^[1] It was again postponed to 15–30 April 2008.^[2][3] On 12 April 2008, a few days before the census was slated to start, the SPLM withdrew from the census, stating that they wanted IDPs to return to their homes before the census would take place; this calls the timetable for the 2009 elections into question.^[4] However, it was agreed on 14 April 2008 to start the census on 22 April 2008 instead.^[5] It was finished by 6 May 2008 (with about 90% of the country covered by then; many people claimed, however, not to have been counted, but officials stated that in no state was the covering rate below 80%^[6]) and results are expected in September.^[7] Preliminary results released in early July claimed a population of about 38 million, with the most populated states being Khartoum with 6.5 million and Al Jazirah with 4.2 million; South Sudan had 3.8 million residents according to the census, which is strongly contradicted by estimates which put the population of South Sudan at least 11 million residents.^[8] The full results of the census were to be released in February 2009.^[9] The total population of Sudan was given as 39 million by the census, with (according to unofficial reports only) Khartoum having 5 million, Darfur 7.5 million and South Sudan 8.2 million. South Sudan had indicated it might boycott the election if the census gave them substantially fewer than the 11–13 million inhabitants they estimate to have.^[10]

The draft bill on the electoral law was being discussed in February 2008; differences remained over the proportion between FPTP seats and proportional seats, over the amount of seats reserved for women, and over how many votes smaller parties would have to win in order to gain entry into parliament.^[11] The SPLM wants 50% proportionally elected and 50% therough FPTP, and it wants women to be given 50% of the proportional seats; the Sudanese government wants only 40% to be proportionally elected and wants a separate list of women-only seats, of which all would be given to the list with the most votes.^[12] The election law was passed on 8 July 2008.^[13] 60% of seats will be chosen in constituencies, and 40% (split 25% women to 15% general seats) by proportional representation; the proportional seats have an electoral threshold of 4%, candidates for presidential elections require 200 endorsements from 18 of Sudan's 25 states, citizens have to be over 18 years to vote and over 40 years and without a criminal record to stand in the election.^[14]

Due to the ongoing War in Darfur, the election may be held without the participation of the Darfur region.^[15] However, a Sudanese official has stated that elections would be held in "99% of Darfur" and that the election would be held at a later date in those regions where it was not possible at that time.^[16]

SPLM leader Salva Kiir Mayardit has stated he will contest the presidential election.^[17] He will also be supported by the former eastern rebels from the Beja Congress, to increase the chances of unseating Omar al-Bashir, who has held power since 1989.^[18]

A UN consultative team advised to postpone the election until November 2009, until after the rainy season, to avoid logistical problems.^[19]

The elections were to be held in Sudan from March to April 2009, and there were reports that they may be delayed up to six months from the latest possible date of July 2009 due to problems with the preparation of the vote.^[20] However, on 2 April 2009, the electoral commission pushed the date back to 6 February to 21 February 2010^[21] and results were to be declared on 27 February 2010.^[22]. The elections will entail: national presidential and parliamentary, the south Sudanese presidency, state governors, the southern parliament and state assemblies. The voting will be early in the month so results may be fielded late in the month. The electoral commission released the date after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Bashir on 4 March 2009.

69 parties registered for the election.^[23] On 11 June 2009, it was rumoured that the elections might be delayed for a short time once more.^[24] This was immediately rejected by the government.^[25] However, is was announced on 30 June 2009 that the election would be postponed until 5 April to 12 April 2010 after problems with the national census. The census results were expected early April 2009 but were not released until mid-May 2009; upon its release, the SPLM contested that Southern Sudan are a third of Sudan's total population while the census stated a much smaller number.^[26] It is unknown if the Darfurian amalgamation referendum, due to take place in July 2010, will be pulled back to match the general election.

Opposition parties including the SPLM are considering to nominate former prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi as their presidential candidate.^[27]

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References