KHARTOUM, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter expressed his hope on Saturday that Sudan's elections, set to begin on Sunday, would be compatible with international standards.

"We hope the elections would be completely compatible with international standards and safe and free and fair and that the decision of individual voter will be expressed freely," Carter told reporters after meeting Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

He also voiced hope that the results of the country's first multi-party elections in 24 years will be counted "honestly and fairly."

The former U.S. president said that his observation team from Carter Center was ready to monitor the three-day Sudanese elections.

"Our team is in all parts of Sudan and are now preparing for the elections, which we will be monitoring closely," he said.

He said his observation team and other international observers would prepare a statement on the elections on April 17.

Carter said he was reassured on the arrangements made by the National Elections Commission (NEC) to make the upcoming democratic experience a success, pointing out that his meetings with leaders of the Sudanese political parties availed him the opportunity to get acquainted with their prospects towards the elections.

The U.S.-based Carter Center, which was founded by Jimmy Carter, sent 65 observers to monitor the general elections in Sudan besides an observation team from the European Union of 130 observers.