International observers said today the elections in Sudan fell short of world standards.
Observers from the European Union and Carter Center presented this morning in Khartoum their preliminary findings about the manner in which the elections were conducted.Veronique de Keyser, head of the EU Mission, said the elections struggled to reach international standards but they did not reach them all.
Ms. De Keyser added that the polls had “significant deficiencies” including logistical problems and intimidation and harassment, especially in the South of the country.
She praised the enthusiasm of voters and said opposition parties had been free to voice complaints throughout the process.
The Carter Center wrote in a statement that the elections fell short of meeting international standards and Sudan’s obligations for genuine elections in many respects.
It added that election officials deliberately misrepresented the desires of some illiterate voters.
The Carter Center added that elections in the South experienced a high incidence of intimidation and the threat or use of force especially by the SPLA.
Ana Gomes, who led a delegation from the European Parliament, held a more positive view. She said the elections enabled an unprecedented political debate in the country.
The EU and Carter Center had the largest number of international observers deployed in the country.