Sudan's Bashir retains presidency in controversial election

KHARTOUM, Sudan, April 27 (UPI) -- Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has won reelection in a controversial vote that state officials say was a landslide win.

According to Sudan's National Elections Commission, Bashir won 94.5 percent of the vote.

The polls were opened April 13, yet there was a low voter turnout due to a boycott by the main opposition parties.

Britain, Norway and the United States faulted the Sudanese government's "failure to create a free, fair and conducive elections environment."

"Restrictions on political rights and freedoms, counter to the rights enshrined in the Sudanese Constitution, the lack of a credible national dialogue, and the continuation of armed conflict in Sudan's peripheries, are among the reasons for the reported low participation and very low voter turnout. The outcome of these elections cannot be considered a credible expression of the will of the Sudanese people."

The 71-year-old Bashir has been president of Sudan since 1989. His reelection will extend his presidency five more years.

Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court has a standing arrest warrant for Bashir that was issued for crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. The African Union has argued that Bashir cannot be tried while president while the Sudanese government has denied recognition of the ICC.