Elections Update

Last week, from Sunday to Thursday the first multi-party elections in almost a quarter century were held in Sudan. Votation was originally scheduled to take place Sunday to Tuesday, but was extended two days because of logistical difficulties. Some polling stations had not received ballots in time; in other locations voter names were missing from registration lists. The turn out was good, but there were widespread reports of irregularities and interference in both the north and the south. There was only one known incidence of violence that occurred in the south, but it is disputed whether it was politically related.

Omar al Bashir is predicted to win the presidency of the entire republic. His two opponents, Yassir Arman of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and Sadiq al Mahdi of the Umma party both withdrew a few weeks ago because they felt the ruling National Congress Party had so manipulated the electoral process, especially in Darfur, that legitimate and free elections were impossible in the North. The SPLM also withdrew from a number of other races for seats in the north.

The results of the elections are to be announced on Tuesday, a day later than originally planned, a delay caused by the two-day voting extension. Despite the problems associated with the process, it is expected that the results will be generally accepted - even if with reservations - both in Sudan and by the international community. Although they were flawed and deficient by international standards, the elections are still at least a first attempt, a step toward fuller democracy. According to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the civil war in 2005, the elections are also a required step in preparation for the referendum on the independence of the South to take place in January 2011. In the mind of many southerners that is a political landmark that significantly overshadows and relativizes the recent elections, and an incentive for them to reluctantly and temporarily accept unsatisfactory results.

Al Jazeera has the most extensive coverage of the story that I've seen. You can see their special feature on the Sudan Elections by clicking here.

Please continue to pray that the peace that has characterized the process so far will be preserved after the results are announced and during the period of transition to a new government that will follow. I return to Sudan today and will try to share the results and any other election-related news as soon as they emerge.

To donate online, please CLICK HERE.