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Sudanese general election, 2009 |
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This article or section contains information about a forthcoming election. Content may change dramatically as the election approaches. |
| Sudan |
 This article is part of the series: |
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Other countries · Atlas Politics portal |
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.1
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.2 It was again postponed to 15–30 April 2008.34 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.5 However, it was agreed on 14 April 2008 to start the census on 22 April 2008 instead.6 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%7) and results are expected in September.8 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.9
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.10 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.11 The election law was passed on 8 July 2008.12 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 2009.13
Due to the ongoing War in Darfur, the election may be held without the participation of the Darfur region.14 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.15
SPLM leader Salva Kiir Mayardit has stated he will contest the presidential election.16 He will also be supported by the former eastern rebels from the Beja Congress, to increase the chances of unseating al-Bashir.17
A UN consultative team advised to postpone the election until November 2009, until after the rainy season, to avoid logistical problems.18
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