MaximsNewsNetwork: DARFUR VOTING TODAY! NATIONAL ELECTIONS (UNAMID)

MaximsNewsNetwork: 11 April 2010 - UNAMID: Darfur, Sudan - The residents of Abshouk Internally Displaced Camp in Northern Darfur, Sudan, joined millions of Sudanese expected to cast their ballot today and as the countrywide national election started this morning (11 April) and is expected to continue for another three days.

More that 54,000 displaced people live in this camp and eligible voters turned out in numbers to participate in this election held for the first time in 24 years. Darfur has been in conflict for more than 7 years and the skirmishes have driven more than 2.5 million displaced people scattered across Darfur.

This did not deter both young and old here in the camp. Among them, 52-year-old Mohammed Abdalla who came into the camp after his village was attacked and torched down by militia 6 years ago.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammed Abdalla, Internally Displaced Person:
"I'm very happy because elections have begun in Sudan after 24 years. Every citizen of Sudan will welcome this election, and it is within this democratic transition that everybody will get their rights. It is a very good moment."

There are about 120 polling centers in Darfur and with a population of 7.5 million it is expected Darfurians will turn out in large numbers and exercise their right to vote in this multi-party election.

UNAMID Police has trained about 10,000 police personnel from the Government of Sudan to handle security and assistance during the voting period.
................................................................................­................................ ( African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur: UNAMID )
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• Internally Displaced Persons
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