VZCZCXRO9613
OO RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHKH #0117/01 0531246
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O R 221246Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0244
INFO IGAD COLLECTIVE
UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000117 
 
SIPDIS 
NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM 
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN 
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/22 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM SU
SUBJECT: NEC DISCUSSES PREPARATIONS FOR APRIL ELECTIONS WITH SE 
GRATION 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: Robert E. Whitehead, CDA; REASON: 1.4(B), (D) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary: Sudan's National Elections Commission (NEC) talked 
about plans and concerns for the upcoming national elections in a 
February 21 meeting with U.S. Special Envoy Scott Gration. The NEC 
Chairman, Deputy and two other commission members updated SE 
Gration on the status of logistical preparations; national 
observers; recount and voter challenge procedures; and obstacles 
ahead. End Summary. 
 
------------------------------------ 
Logistical Arrangements Moving Ahead 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶2. (C) The NEC Chairman Abel Alier, Deputy Chairman Abdallah Ahmed 
Abdallah, and two other NEC members described to SE Gration on 
February 21 how preparations for the April national elections are 
moving ahead. Alier said that most voting materials are already in 
country, with a few additional containers expected to arrive within 
days. (Note. In fact, by all accounts, legislative ballots, which 
are to be printed in South Africa and the United Kingdom, have not 
yet been ordered. End Note.) He told SE Gration that a 
transportation committee was meeting to work on plans for shipping 
approximately 48,000 tons of election materials to states in 
Northern and Southern Sudan. Alier noted that they had approached 
the Government of National Unity to provide funding for this 
exercise, as well as donors. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
Observers for Ballot Printing and Voting 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (C) The NEC Chairman expressed confidence in the firm that will 
print voting ballots and noted that it is the same press that 
prints Sudanese currency. However, to ensure transparency and add 
credibility, he said the commission has agreed to allow six 
political party and two or three international observers witness 
the ballot printing process. According to Alier, the Carter Center 
is at the top of the list of international observers who will be 
invited to monitor this process. 
 
¶4. (C) On the topic of national election-day observers, Deputy 
Chairman Abdallah explained that political party agents differ from 
national observers in their roles, as well as accreditation 
procedures. The NEC refused to consider accreditation for national 
observers who do not meet their pre-determined criteria, which 
includes possession of the national identification card. Both Alier 
and Abdallah discounted the argument that this requirement would 
exclude national observer representation from some areas of Sudan. 
Abdallah said party agents are not subject to the identification 
card requirement and need only to present a properly authenticated 
letter from their respective political party. With these 
credentials, the party agents can sit in polling stations on 
election day and monitor activities. The NEC members insisted that 
there are sufficient non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with 
members who meet the requirements and are capable of performing 
this role and they represent every Sudanese state. 
 
----------------------------------------- 
Run-Off, Recount and Challenge Procedures 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) According to the NEC leadership, election procedures provide 
for run-off, recount and challenges. The Chairman noted that while 
provisions are made in case there is no clear majority winner among 
Presidential candidates in the April elections, the commission is 
also trying to avoid spending money and resources for items that 
may not be needed. He did not specify what type of provisions the 
NEC is making in the event a run-off becomes reality. Alier 
re-affirmed the NEC position that a run-off election, if needed, 
must occur before the rainy season is fully underway. He expressed 
doubt that a recount would be called for since political party 
agents will observe the entire process, to include ballot counting. 
Nevertheless, in the event a recount is needed, it would occur, 
although he did not specify by whom or how the recount would take 
place. Any challenge to an announced winner will be investigated 
and a recount performed as necessary. If these measures fail to 
verify the winner, the case may be taken to the courts for a final 
ruling. 
 
------------------ 
Difficulties Ahead 
------------------ 
 
¶6. (C) Deputy Chairman Abdallah noted security concerns, especially 
 
KHARTOUM 00000117  002 OF 002 
 
 
with the police, in Southern Sudan as one of the  challenges 
remaining over the weeks leading up to election-day. Chairman Alier 
highlighted the need for improved security both in the North and 
South and said the government should have increased federal funding 
to address the issues. Abdallah further noted the need for 
additional logistical and technical support, along with enhanced 
capacity in the South. Voter education also needs to be 
strengthened as, according to Abdallah, the political parties are 
not doing a good job. He was concerned that voters learn how to 
cast their votes properly before polling days. He stressed the lack 
of sufficient training and civic education. Abdallah also commended 
the donor community for their assistance and work but wanted to see 
more assistance from partners, especially in building capacity. 
 
¶7. (C) Comment: While the NEC says it wants international 
assistance to build capacity, such technical assistance is offered 
but it is not always accepted. The electoral preparations have seen 
progress but continue to have ups and downs. The NEC has a full 
plate in the weeks before election-day, and it is not certain that 
the NEC is as on schedule as its leaders insist. End Comment. 
 
¶8. (U) This cable has been cleared by the Office of the Special 
Envoy to Sudan. 
WHITEHEAD