تودد سياسي: البشير يُوزع المناصب على خصومه...لوأد الاتهامات بتزوير الانتخابات

Beshir's party wants 'inclusive' Sudan government


Sudan's NCP seeks participation of opposition parties in future government if it wins polls.

Beshir's party wants 'inclusive' Sudan government


Sudan's NCP seeks participation of opposition parties in future government if it wins polls.


By Jailan Zayan - KHARTOUM

Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir's ruling party on Wednesday reached out to the opposition, much of which has boycotted ongoing elections, calling for an "inclusive" future government.

Presidential adviser Ghazi Salaheddin said that "given the challenges facing the nation," Beshir's National Congress Party (NCP) was interested in "our government being as inclusive as possible."

"If we are declared winners... we would extend the invitation to all parties, even those who have not participated in the elections, because we believe this is a critical moment in our history," Salaheddin told reporters.

The statement came as authorities suspended voting in areas struggling with logistical problems in the presidential, legislative and local elections and extended the process for two days until Thursday.

The credibility of the election had already been dented by a boycott of the opposition including by the heavyweight Umma party which won the 1986 elections.

The former southern rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), a partner in the national unity government, also boycotted the vote in parts of the country and withdrew its presidential candidate.

Asked if he believed the political groups boycotting the vote would be willing to join the NCP in a government, Salaheddin said he thought it would be "in their interest."

"If the elections are recognised by international players and international institutions, that would mean that the government is recognised," Salaheddin said.

"If they decide not to join the government, not to heed the offer, they would be isolating themselves from the process.

"I think any politician in his right mind would not decline such an offer," he said.

The opposition boycott was announced after ballot papers were printed, leaving open the possibility for individual candidates to run anyway and win in their constituencies despite their party's decision to pull out.

The election, Sudan's first multi-party vote since 1986, is a prelude to a 2011 referendum on southern independence.

"We are facing an important decision like self-determination in the south and we would like to garner as much support and as much consensus as we can," Salaheddin said.

Around 16 million Sudanese are registered in this week's election, but the process was losing steam by the fourth day of voting on Wednesday, with many polling stations empty, reporters said.

The government put the voter turnout on the first three days at between 40 percent and 67 percent based on preliminary reports.

The election had kicked off on Sunday to a chaotic start with delays in distributing ballot papers, polling stations opening late or not at all, names missing or mispelled on registration lists.

With the withdrawal of key presidential candidates, Beshir looks set for a comfortable win.

Election results are not expected before April 20.