Carter Center to Observe Referendum Sudan Elections ~ politicalpage

Dear Friend:

Today, Rosalynn, Dr. Hardman, and I depart for Sudan to join former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, former Tanzania Prime Minister Joseph Warioba, and the Carter Center’s international delegation in observing the January 2011 referendum on the self-determination of Southern Sudan.

The Center will deploy more than 100 observers across Sudan and the overseas voting locations to assess the referendum process and observe polling, counting, and tabulation in this historic election.

The referendum is a critical step in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We hope this process will help the people of Sudan work for a peaceful future, regardless of the outcome.

The objectives of the Carter Center's observation mission in Sudan are to provide an impartial assessment of the overall quality of the referendum process and to demonstrate international interest in Sudan's referendum.

We are encouraged that the Governments of Sudan and Southern Sudan have committed themselves to a peaceful conduct of the process, acceptance of credible referendum results, and respect for the rights of all Sudanese citizens, whether the Southern Sudanese vote for unity or separation.

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Please visit our website over the next week for updates.

Best wishes,

Jimmy Carter