27 Apr 2010

Sudan president declared winner of landmark election

7:48 am on 27 April 2010

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has been declared the winner of landmark elections in April, despite facing war crimes charges over Darfur.

Former rebel leader Salva Kiir has been confirmed in power in the semi-autonomous south in the first polls since the north-south war ended.

The polls were Sudan's first multi-party elections in 24 years.

Observers and opposition parties have complained of fraud and - particularly in the south - of intimidation, the BBC reports.

Sudan's election commission said Mr Bashir had received 68% of the vote. It also said Mr Kiir, leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, had received 93% of the southern vote.

The BBC reports Mr Bashir could present his re-election as a popular rebuke for the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in Darfur.

Sudan's leader strongly denies the charges. His two main challengers withdrew before the elections began, claiming that the process had already been rigged.