Carter Centre criticises Sudan over poll arrangements

KHARTOUM (AFP) – The US-based Carter Centre, which has been charged with monitoring preparations for Sudanese elections next April, criticised the Khartoum authorities on Tuesday for impeding poll observers.

The Carter Centre "expressed concerns about the obstacles facing election observers, including delays in finalising their accreditation procedures and delays in election preparations, as well as continued reports of harassment of political party and civil society activity."

Sudanese began registering on Sunday for the country's first presidential, parliamentary and regional elections in 24 years.

The Carter Centre in a statement said that the government needed to do more to inform the 20 million eligible voters about the registration process, particularly in the provinces.

It called on both the National Congress Party of President Omar al-Beshir and the southern former rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement to reach agreement as soon a possible on key outstanding issues.

In particular it urged the two sides to draw up enabling legislation for a promised referendum on independence for the south that is due in 2011.

The Carter Centre also voiced concern about the impact of the continuing conflict in the western region of Darfur on preparations for the elections there.

"In Darfur, the continuing state of emergency means that a free and open electoral process remains difficult to contemplate, and state elections committees and state security agencies must promote a more open and free political environment," it said.

"Technical preparations for elections must also be accompanied by shifts in national political and security arrangements, such as the lifting of the state of emergency in Darfur and the disarmament and civilian reintegration of unauthorized militias and proxy forces."

The United Nations estimates that 300,000 people have died in Darfur and 2.7 million more fled their homes since ethnic minority rebels rose up in 2003 drawing a scorched earth response from the Arab-dominated Khartoum regime and its militia allies.

The government says 10,000 people have died.