Better civic education, independent oversight of how electoral districts are drawn and better representation of women in election preparations are among the recommendations of the Sudanese Group for Democracy and Elections (SuGDE).

SuGDE has evolved into a strong coalition of six citizen groups standing for free, fair and non-violent elections during the last two eventful two years in Sudan, including the first multi-party national elections in over two decades, gubernatorial elections in Southern Kordofan, and a referendum on South Sudan’s. The group’s recommendations have been published in a comprehensive report on electoral reforms based on its two years of election observing. The report includes 51 recommendations concerning all aspects of the electoral process addressing the election commission, voters and the media. Specific recommendations include:

• Implementing election rules three months before polling begins to permit time for civic education;
• Creating an independent body to oversee the drawing of districts and allowing the media to observe this process;
• Considering religious and cultural traditions and practices while making election calendars;
• Reserving at least 30 percent of the registration and polling committees for women; and
• Limiting voting days to two days maxi¬mum, increasing the number of polling stations to account for heavier voting and setting aside one voting day as a national holiday.

Before releasing the report, SuGDE organized a forum with international experts, including a constitutional specialist from Kenya and an electoral reform expert from Lebanon, to discuss the best practices in drafting and advocating for legal reform. SuGDE said it will push to see its election recommendations carried out through passage of new legislation, amendments to old laws or strict enforcement of laws already on the books.

Supported technically and financially by NDI since its inception, SuGDE plans to grow its role in Sudan and the region.

The release of the report was followed closely by the launch of the coalition’s new website at www.sugde.org. The group also commissioned a documentary film that covers its two-year existence. The 13-minute documentary features interviews with SuGDE members and footage of election activities. The website details all of SuGDE’s activities and houses each of its many reports, including the most recent on electoral reform.

SuGDE members are the AZZA Women Association, the Babikr Badri Scientific Association for Women Studies, the Group for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Studies (GESCRS), HELA HELP organization, Human Security Initiative (MAMAN), and the Institute for Development of Civil Society (IDCS).

Read more:

• Southern Sudanese Women’s Coalition Calls for More Inclusive Constitution»
• Sudanese Civic Group Gives Mostly Positive Marks to South Kordofan Polling Process»
• SuNDE and SuGDE Statement on the Tabulation Process and Announcement of the 2011 Southern Sudan Referendum Preliminary Results»
• Building a Nation: South Sudanese Share Their Thoughts on the Creation of a Successful State»

Published March 12, 2012