PRESS TV

Sudan's electoral commission says the country's general elections will go ahead as planned despite a boycott announced by a number of opposition parties.

"The electoral commission ensures that the elections will take place as envisioned, on April 11 to 13," Deputy Chairman of the National Elections Commission Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah said on Saturday.

The announcement comes in the face of threats of a boycott from opposition candidates who allege the vote is already rigged in favor of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir's National Congress Party.

The opposition Umma Party has set several conditions for participating, demanding a four-week delay and the creation of a new body to supervise the electoral commission.

It also asked that the country's strict security laws be frozen for the elections and demanded fair access to state media as well as caps on campaign spending.

In a serious blow to main opposition parties, US envoy to Sudan, Scott Gration, said he was confident this month's election would be as free and fair as possible.

The National Elections Committee has “gone to great lengths to ensure that the people of Sudan will have access to polling places and that the procedures and processes will ensure transparency," he said.

This month's election is expected to be the first national multi-party poll in 24 years.