The United Nations expressed concern yesterday about reports that some opposition party members and supporters in Sudan are being harassed, intimidated, arrested or detained ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections slated for next month.
UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky, responding to questions from journalists at UN Headquarters in New York, said the world body is also concerned by the low rate of voter registration among internally displaced persons in the Darfur, UN News Agency reported.Mr. Nesirky added that there are technical challenges to the vote such as the logistics of transporting election materials in areas with little infrastructure and how to recruit and train tens of thousands of poll workers.
He said the UN has encouraged the Government of Sudan to address these concerns to ensure that the elections reflect the will of the Sudanese people.
Mr. Nesirky stressed that the elections are a Sudanese process, with the UN providing only technical assistance and limited logistical support as mandated by the Security Council to the authorities staging the ballot.