[Published: Wednesday April 21 2010]
Sudan poll observer 'beaten up'
Khartoum, 21 April-(ANA)-An observer at this month's landmark elections in south Sudan was kidnapped and beaten by security agents, his group suspects.
Edmond Yakani, of the Sudanese Network for Democratic Elections (Sunde), said the man has been freed after being attacked near Wau town.
Results are expected this week in the elections, which were extended by two days after organisational problems.
The polls were held as part of a deal to end two decades of north-south war.
At the weekend, the EU and the Carter Center, led by former US President Jimmy Carter, said the polls had fallen short of international standards.
However, both concluded the 11-15 April vote was a significant step towards democracy.
President Omar al-Bashir is expected to be re-elected, after his two main challengers withdrew, alleging fraud.
However, Ibrahim Ghandoor, a senior official from Mr Bashir's National Congress Party, told the AFP news agency that the elections were free and fair.
The former rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) are equally expected to retain power in the semi-autonomous south. (ANA)
FA/ANA/21 April 2010--------
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