The Sudan presidential and legislative elections that kicked off yesterday have been marred by irregularities. The irregularities included missing voters’ names on voters’ registers, while some voters had their names appearing more than once, among others.
Voting was suspended at the polling center in Kalba School, one kilometer from the city of Kadugli, in south Kordofan State. This was due to an attack by an unknown group against a member of the State High Election Committee.
According to a security officer in south Kordofan state, Aron Ogwang, the number of policemen has been increased to adequately manage security at Kalba school polling centre and all polling centres in the state. “A member of the state high election committee has been attacked by unknown people and beaten up. We have improved on security. Police reinforcements are on stand by near the centers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and opposition parties have urged the Election High Committee to reply to their protests over alleged election violations as soon as possible.
SPLM party’s secretary in the State, Arno Natolo, has warned that there may be increased insecurity if the High Committee fails to address the issue.
As a result of the electoral irregularities, the National Elections Commission (NEC) has announced that voting will be extended across the country for two days.
This decision was made following delays encountered on the first two days of polling. Wednesday and Thursday of this week will be additional days for citizens to exercise their right to vote.
Originally, elections were to last for three days from Sunday to Tuesday.
