IGAD SENDS ELECTIONS OBSERVER MISSION TO THE ELECTION IN THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN

(IGAD – Khartoum) Following the invitation extended to the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) by the National Election Commission (NEC) of Sudan, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has deployed an Election Observer Mission (IGAD-EOM) to Sudan to observe the Presidential election and Parliamentary Elections scheduled to be held from 13-16 April 2015 in the Republic of Sudan. An advance team of observers arrived on 2nd April 2015 while the main teams of observers arrived in Khartoum today, 06 April 2015.

The Observer Mission is composed of   18 Participants from IGAD member states (Three participants each from the six member states, namely Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda) and 12 participants from IGAD Secretariat.  A total of 30 participants are deployed to observe the election.

IGAD deploys observers that have been properly trained to take the task of observation with the requisite efficiency and integrity. A specific training for the Election in the Republic of Sudan will be given in the next 2 days.

The objective of the IGAD Election Observer Mission is to assist Member States in their efforts to conduct credible elections by providing positive and constructive feedback that would help to improve similar processes in the region, there by facilitating the gradual development of a democratic election culture, which will contribute to averting conflicts related to election disputes from the region. The

Members of the IGAD Election Observation Mission are to be deployed to eight pre-selected deployment areas for election observation. The Observer Mission will cover Khartoum 1 (Omdurman), Khartoum 2 (Bahri), Wad Madani (El-gezira State), Kosti (White Nile State), Gedarif (Gedarif State), Shandi, (River Nile State), El-Obeid (North Kordofan State), Dongola (Northern State)

The IGAD Election Observer Mission is led by Dr. Mohamoud Abdullahi Hussien, Head of observer delegation of Ethiopia, current chair country of IGAD. He shall be the Leader and Spokesperson of the IGAD Election Observer Mission. The Observer Mission also includes Ambassador, Commissioner, Yusuf Nzibo, Head of the observer delegation of Kenya, Current Rapporteur of IGAD.

The team has already met with officials of the National Election Commission and other key stakeholders and hold consultations and briefings with relevant authorities.

Press Contact Person –     Mr. Abdullahi Busuri
Tel: 0964.22.60.05
E-mail: abdullahi.busuri@igad.int