1968 Sudanese parliamentary election explained

Election Name:1968 Sudanese parliamentary election
Country:Sudan
Flag Image:Flag of Sudan (1956–1970).svg
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1965 Sudanese parliamentary election
Previous Year:1965
Next Election:1974 Sudanese parliamentary election
Next Year:1974
Seats For Election:All 218 seats to the Parliament
Election Date:12 April & 2 May 1968
Leader1:Ismail al-Azhari
Party1:Democratic Unionist Party (Sudan)
Last Election1:62
Seats1:101
Seat Change1:39
Popular Vote1:742,226
Percentage1:40.8%
Colour2:006803
Leader2:Sadiq al-Mahdi
Party2:Umma–Sadiq
Last Election2:
Seats2:36
Seat Change2:New
Popular Vote2:384,986
Percentage2:21.2%
Colour3:006803
Leader3:Imam al-Hadi al-Mahdi
Party3:Umma–Imam
Last Election3:
Seats3:30
Seat Change3:New
Popular Vote3:329,952
Percentage3:18.1%
Prime Minister
Before Election:Muhammad Ahmad Mahgoub
Before Party:National Umma Party Sudan
After Election:Muhammad Ahmad Mahgoub
After Party:National Umma Party Sudan

Parliamentary elections were held in Sudan between 12 April and 2 May 1968. The election followed the resignation of a third of the members of the Assembly elected in 1965.[1] The result was a victory for the new Democratic Unionist Party, formed by a merger of the National Unionist Party and the People's Democratic Party in December 1967 and led by President Ismail al-Azhari, which won 101 of the 218 seats. Voter turnout was 61.0%.[2]

In contrast, since the last election the Umma Party had fractured, with competing wings being led by Sadiq al-Mahdi and Imam al-Hadi al-Mahdi. Whilst Sadiq's Umma party emerged as the stronger of the two wings, Sadiq actually lost his own seat in the election to a rival from the Imam wing.[3] In total the various Umma party affiliates won some 827,289 votes, or 45.46% of the vote, compared to the 40.8% won by the DUP. The Umma affiliates won only 72 seats, in contrast to the 90 seats won at the previous election.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/SUDAN_1968_E.PDF Sudan
  2. [Dieter Nohlen]
  3. Book: Dictionary Of Modern Arab History . Routledge . 259 .