Between 11 and 15 April, the people of Sudan went through a relatively new experience since, after a lapse of 24 years, for the first time they had the possibility of voting in political elections.
These elections were extremely complicated, not only because of the lack of experience in organizing public consultations, but also because of practical logistic problems.
In fact, the organizational aspect was highly complicated by the fact that Sudan is the largest country in the African continent, covering vast expanses of diverse territory, and also because the Sudanese people had to vote for eight different elections in the North and 12 in the South.
We Maltese are already slightly confused when we have to fill in two different ballots on the same day... imagine how a considerable amount of Sudanese, who have never seen a ballot sheet in their lives, must have felt when receiving eight or 12 different ballots on the same day!
Hundreds of international observers were present for the elections, coming from all corners of the world: Russia, China, the African Union, the Jimmy Carter Foundation and the European Union, with the biggest delegation of observers of them all.
What was the opinion of the international observation missions overseeing these elections? The answer is quite clear and loud: in its preliminary statement issued on the 17th April, the Carter Foundation observed that “it is apparent that the elections will fall short of meeting international standards and Sudan’s obligations for genuine elections in many respects”.
The European Union also agreed that these elections were not meeting international standards. In her preliminary statement of 17 April, the EU Chief Observer, MEP Veronique de Keyser noted: “Deficiencies in voters lists and weak organization hindered the voters’ participation. I am also concerned that polling was affected by intimidation and threats. Although these elections pave the way for democratic progress, it is essential that the shortcomings are addressed to achieve a genuine democratic environment for future elections”.
Why did the international community deem these elections not to be up to international standards? Here are the details. The Carter Foundation observed that certain candidates abused of “The Elections Act which prohibits the use of State resources by candidates without paying for their use”.
The EU observed that “the campaign was dominated by the two ruling parties” and that “there were significant disparities in financial and logistical resources across the parties”.
This reminds me so much of Maltese ministers abusing of their privileges when, during election campaigns, we see them producing glossy supposedly ministerial brochures paid for by Maltese taxpayer, or of Maltese MPs and MEPs who are using parliamentary posts to make their presence felt during election campaigns.
According to the Carter Foundation, Sudanese law was also abused by some privileged ones who flouted the campaign spending ceiling for each candidate. This reminds me of the plan concocted in unison by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and “moderate and progressive” Dr Muscat, in order to cover up for the six MEPs elected and various other PL and PN candidates who blatantly flouted the law with regards to campaign expenditure in last year’s European Parliament elections.
In Sudan, this behaviour has been considered by the international community to be “unequal resourcing and treatment by the authorities”; but in Malta, of course, the flouting of financial regulations by PN and PL is peacefully accepted as a sine qua non.
The EU observer mission also criticised the fact that the “ruling party was busy shuttling people into the polling stations”. Ha, Ha! But wasn’t John Attard Montalto part of the EU official delegation? Did he not inform Ms De Keyser of the hundreds of people that he and the PL and the PN take in ambulances, cars and what not to vote in elections in Malta, many times disregarding the poor medical condition of these people and in full disrespect of their dignity?
What would an EU election observation mission in Malta state if it witnessed this degrading behaviour of PN and PL vis a’ vis sick, old or weak Maltese citizens?
As regards the media, the EU observed that “effective pluralism in the media environment was not obtained during the election period. [The two main parties] NCP and SPLM, with their superior financial resources, have been able to dominate the media campaign leaving the other political contestants with very little visibility”.
Is this Sudan or Malta? Has the EU been monitoring Sudanese TV stations or NET and ONE TV? Of course, what is strongly condemned in Sudan is common practice in Malta. ‘Imma ahna specjali, hux, kemm ahna bravi...’
With regard to subtle pressure on the media by the government, the EU stated that it had “received credible reports of indirect financial and logistical constraints for the press which are critical of the government, such as access to the advertising market share”.
Dear Mr Editor of MaltaToday, does this remind you of the behaviour of some Maltese Ministry or Public Corporation the day after you publish an article criticising it?
Commenting on the Sudanese legal framework, the EU preliminary report states that the “constitutional basis for the elections has been undermined by applying the practice of solving problems by political arrangement between the two main political parties and inserting those arrangements into the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) structure. [...] This distorts the planned relationship between population, constituencies and lists, and undermines the equality of the ballot, equality between candidates and the competitive aspect of the election”.
I am baffled. Who am I? Where am I? Was I born, raised and bred in Sudan all my life, thinking that I was living in Malta all the time?
Maybe, it is time for me to consult a psychoanalyst.
Prof. Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Spokesperson on EU and International Affairs, was in Sudan as EU electoral observer
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