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KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan will hold its first multi-party elections in 24 years in April. But already there are complaints about fraud, irregularities and obstacles to opposition parties taking part.

Here are some possible scenarios in the run up to the elections.

BOYCOTT

A group of more than 20 political parties said they would boycott the elections if a package of democratic laws was not passed. All the laws were passed in parliament in December.

But the law governing granting the intelligence services wide powers to arrest and search was only forced through by President Omar Hassan al-Bashir's dominant National Congress Party (NCP) in the teeth of fierce opposition.

While concerns remain over that law and a stringent media bill, the parties are however likely to participate in the elections and many have already announced their presidential candidates.

ALLIANCES

About 20 political parties who formed a joint position in south Sudan's capital Juba last year have said they may field joint candidates for the parliamentary and state governor elections.

The NCP has expressed concern at an opposition alliance against their candidates. For smaller parties like the Communist Party an alliance would be an advantage. But the Umma Party, which historically has been one of Sudan's largest political parties, wants a bigger share of seats, its members say.