Sudanese general election, 2009

Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in Sudan from January to April 2009 after the end of a transitional period which began when the decades-long Second Sudanese Civil War finally came to an end in early 2005. There were reports that they may be delayed up to six months from the latest possible date of July 2009 due to problems with the preparation of the vote.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7610670.stm]

A census, which is necessary for the election to be held, was initially planned to be held in July 2007, then from 15 November 2007 onwards, then delayed to be held from 2 February 2008 onwards due to funding issues. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6975469.stm BBC NEWS | Africa | Funds row delays key Sudan census ] ] It was again postponed to 15–30 April 2008. [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article25213 SudanTribune article : Sudan’s census delayed to April 2008 ] ] [ [http://www.enoughproject.org/node/577 Democracy: A Key to Peace In Sudan | Enough ] ] On 12 April 2008, a few days before the census was slated to start, the SPLM withdrew from the census, stating that they wanted IDPs to return to their homes before the census would take place; this calls the timetable for the 2009 elections into question. [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article26731 SudanTribune article : Sudan census delayed till year end raising doubt on 2009 elections ] ] However, it was agreed on 14 April 2008 to start the census on 22 April 2008 instead. [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article26755 SudanTribune article : BREAKING NEWS: Sudan president and SPLM chairman resolve census row ] ] It was finished by 6 May 2008 (with about 90% of the country covered by then; many people claimed, however, not to have been counted, but officials stated that in no state was the covering rate below 80% [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article27040 SudanTribune article : Sudan says 90 percent covered on last day of census ] ] ) and results are expected in September. [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article26824 SudanTribune article : FACTBOX-Sudan to conduct first census since 1993 ] ] Preliminary results released in early July claimed a population of about 38 million, with the most populated states being Khartoum with 6.5 million and Al Jazirah with 4.2 million; South Sudan had 3.8 million residents according to the census, which is strongly contradicted by estimates which put the population of South Sudan at at least 11 million residents. [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article27792 SudanTribune article : Sudan preliminary census results released - report ] ]

The draft bill on the electoral law was being discussed in February 2008; differences remained over the proportion between FPTP seats and proportional seats, over the amount of seats reserved for women, and over how many votes smaller parties would have to win in order to gain entry into parliament. [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article25960 SudanTribune article : Sudan parties close to election bill deal ] ] The SPLM wants 50% proportionally elected and 50% therough FPTP, and it wants women to be given 50% of the proportional seats; the Sudanese government wants only 40% to be proportionally elected and wants a separate list of women-only seats, of which all would be given to the list with the most votes. [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article26196 SudanTribune article : SPLM slams NCP over possible adoption of Sudan elections law ] ] The election law was passed on 8 July 2008. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7495164.stm BBC NEWS | Africa | Sudan signs crucial election law ] ] 60% of seats will be chosen in constituencies, and 40% (split 25% women to 15% general seats) by proportional representation; the proportional seats have an electoral threshold of 4%, candidates for presidential elections require 200 endorsements from 18 of Sudan's 25 states, citizens have to be over 18 years to vote and over 40 years and without a criminal record to stand in the election. The election will be held between January and April 2009. [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article27775 SudanTribune article : Sudanese legislators pass elections law ] ]

Due to the ongoing War in Darfur, the election may be held without the participation of the Darfur region. [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article26082 SudanTribune article : Sudan ruling party says elections can be conducted without Darfur ] ] However, a Sudanese official has stated that elections would be held in "99% of Darfur" and that the election would be held at a later date in those regions where it was not possible at that time. [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article26120 SudanTribune article : Sudanese official says elections will be conducted in all of Darfur ] ]

SPLM leader Salva Kiir Mayardit has stated he will contest the presidential election. [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article28034 SudanTribune article : SPLM Kiir to run for president in Sudan 2009 elections ] ] He will also be supported by the former eastern rebels from the Beja Congress, to increase the chances of unseating al-Bashir. [ [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article28067 SudanTribune article : Esatern Sudan Beja, SPLM discuss electoral alliance ] ]

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