Sudan politicians report widespread electoral fraud

Sudan's political parties accused each other of widespread fraud and intimidation as voters began to register for the oil-producing state's first multi-party elections in 24 years.

Opposition political party monitors told Reuters they had evidence of intimidation, buying of votes and other irregularities by Sudan's dominant National Congress Party (NCP), headed by President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.

The NCP dismissed the allegations and accused its junior coalition partner, the former southern rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), of trying to sabotage the election, saying NCP supporters had been tortured in the south.

Full story: KHARTOUM (Reuters) by Opheera McDoom Sun Nov 8, 2009 9:45am GMT - Sudan politicians report widespread electoral fraud



Photo: Sudanese officials show registration kits at the Elections High Committee compound in Khartoum November 1, 2009. South Sudan's president Salva Kiir urged southerners to vote for independence in a referendum if they wanted to be free, the closest he has come to calling publicly for the separation of the oil-producing region. Sudanese began to register for Sudan's first presidential, legislative and regional elections in 24 years, with the authorities facing a tough logistical challenge. (REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)