20100419
press tv

Remonstrations from aboard add to the strain on the credibility of Sudan's first multiparty elections in 24 years, amid expected delays in the results of the vote.

In a joint statement released on Monday, the United States, Britain and Norway criticized Khartoum for ill preparation for the landmark elections and urged the National Election Commission (NEC) to firmly and fairly resolve disputes.

"We strongly encourage the NEC to address in good faith any legitimate disputes effectively and impartially," the US State Department said in a statement on behalf of the three countries.

“We are reassured that voting passed reasonably peacefully, reportedly with significant participation, but share their serious concerns about weak logistical and technical preparations and reported irregularities in many parts of Sudan,” the statement added.

Earlier, the NEC announced that it would most likely not be able to finish counting ballots and that the result of the elections, expected on Tuesday, would be delayed.

"We cannot set a definite date to announce the results because (the counting) is a very complicated process…We had hoped to reveal the final results by April 21, but we are not in a position to do that," head the NEC technical committee Hadi Mohammed Ahmed told AFP.

The 16 million eligible Sudanese, who had registered for voting in the largest African country, had five days to elect their president as well as parliamentary and local representatives.

With major opposition boycotts, the elections are likely to extend the rule of long-time leader, President Umar al-Bashir.

Polling errors, names missing from electoral rolls and ballot mix-ups were more pronounced in the south of the country, a restive region poised to vote for independence in 2011.