sudanese children in Juba promote voter registration by handing out posters. Photo by Peter Martel/IRIN

(NSV)--As Sudan braces for crucial polls in April, calls for free and fair electoral process are mounting. UN radio and online news site, Miraya FM, has reported that president Bashir will soon approve a new law that will guarantee all poltical parties unfettered access to media coverage.

According to a statement on its website, “A new electoral law, Article 66, that stipulates equal media access to all political parties without discrimination has been formed and will soon be implemented by the National Elections Commission (NEC.”

Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, deputy chairman and spokesman of the National Elections Commission, has confirmed that the new law will soon go into effect once it receives the president’s blessings.

The Human Rights Watch has in recent months written about abuses that include “harassment of activists and Elections Observers in Northern States, as well as “repression of political Freedoms in Southern Sudan.”

Last month Human Rights Watch voiced advance warning, saying  “Violations of civil and political rights by Sudanese security forces throughout the country are seriously undermining prospects for free, fair, and credible elections in April 2010.”

Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch recently said, "The Khartoum government is still using its security forces to harass and abuse those who speak out against the ruling National Congress Party,” adding "That is no environment for holding free, fair, and transparent elections."

Last year Sudanese civil society groups hunkered down trying to press the Sudanese government to enact laws that allow for free press.

As the election draws nearer ,the Carter Center and European Union have expressed willingness to assist in the monitoring the Sudanese elections. Yesterday, the EU disclosed it would send observers in late February.

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