The National Assembly of Sudan on Wednesday approved a new election law, giving a new interpretation to the terms "political party and political alliance".

Iran press/Africa: The National Assembly, chaired by the Speaker Ibrahim Ahmed Omer, approved by majority a report of its Legislation, Justice and Human Rights on the bill of the Elections Law 2018, which is composed of 109 articles, in the third and final reading phase following withdrawal of 34 parties and political movements from the sitting, according to all Africa.

Chairman of the Assembly's Legislation, Justice and Human Rights Commission, Osman Nimir, has reviewed the interpretations contained in the Elections Law.

The report gave interpretation to the terms "political party and political alliance", affirming that the election of the Wali (governor) of the state has become a free and direct one.

He said that article of the law stipulates formation of the Commission of a chairman and eight members who are to be appointed by the President of the Republic after consultation and accord with the political forces and ratification of the National Assembly, in accordance with decisions of the National Dialogue Conference. The article stipulated that the President of the Republic is entitled to dismiss the chairperson of the Commission, his deputy or any of its members because of partisan affiliation or incompetence, in order to ensure the independence of the Commission.

The report pointed to the way to organize the election of the President of the Republic and the Wali (Governor), the National Legislature and state legislative councils and the local councils, as approved by the outcome of the National Dialogue, affirming that the internally displaced persons (IDP) and nomads can participate in elections; provided that the voter is a resident of the geographical district for at least three months before the electoral register is closed.

The law stipulated that the voter must have a personal identification document that includes the National Number, National Card or passport.

The Sudanese expatriates living outside the Sudan must prove their Sudanese passport and valid residence, and that they are entitled to participate in the election of the president and party lists and the lists of women to the National Assembly and the referendum, in accordance with the regulations set by the rules.

The election law bill stipulated that the membership of the National Council shall be 380 elected deputies, of whom 30 shall be women who are elected on the basis of proportional representation at the national level through separate, closed and 20 deputies are to be elected on the basis of proportional representation to enable the political forces to participate effectively in the National Assembly.

According to the bill, the Council of States shall be composed of three representatives for each State. The Legislative Council of each state shall consist of 84 members for the States of Khartoum and Gezira and a Secretariat and 40 members for the rest of the states.

The Elections Law bill assured that the public servant will not lose his position because of his parliamentary participation, and that the voting period is three days. 208/103

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