This book presents an integrated analytical reading of the national elections that took place in Sudan in 2010, considering them a tool stipulated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to achieve democratic transformation. This analytical reading can be based on the following questions: What were the justifications that led the National Salvation government to transition from a one-party system to a multi-party system? Amid this shift, were the Sudanese national elections able to bring about a genuine democratic transformation? Was the preparation for the elections at various levels characterized by the necessary transparency, integrity, and professionalism? What were the positions of the ruling political parties, opposition parties, and civil society organizations on the electoral process procedures and their outcomes? What were the results of the national elections within the framework of peaceful power transition, political pluralism, and determining the future of Sudan based on the options of unity or separation? Did the national elections contribute to reducing the intensity of political tensions and partisan polarization caused by the ongoing conflict between the government and the opposition? To answer these and similar questions, the author relies on a vast amount of primary and secondary sources, as well as interviews conducted with some political leaders and officials responsible for managing the electoral process at its various stages.

The importance of this book lies firstly in providing a comprehensive presentation and thorough analysis of the electoral process in Sudan, starting from the political, constitutional, and legal framework it was based on, through the procedural and administrative issues related to its preparation and implementation, and ending with its political consequences. The book also provides a vivid mental picture of the national elections, which is useful for political decision-making in the state, civil society organizations, and for general readers and researchers specializing in the affairs of politics and governance in Sudan and the Arab world. Secondly, the author, Ahmed Ibrahim Abu Shouk, expects this book to complement the one he previously co-authored with Dr. Al-Fatih Abdullah Abdul Salam titled: "Parliamentary Elections in Sudan (1953–1986): An Analytical Approach," Omdurman: Abdel Karim Center, 2008. This completes the picture for readers and researchers about the history of parliamentary elections in Sudan, and the similarities and differences between them in terms of administrative procedures and the electoral results impacting the political scene. Thirdly, the author hopes that this book will contribute to defining some standard concepts related to issues of democratic transformation, political pluralism, and elections in their various forms, and to achieve an accumulation of scientific and cognitive knowledge in this field.

The book includes an introduction, six chapters, and appendices under the following titles:

• Chapter One: The Comprehensive Peace Agreement and Democratic Transformation.
• Chapter Two: The Constitutional and Legal Framework for National Elections.
• Chapter Three: The Fifth Population Census and the Elections.
• Chapter Four: Electoral Constituencies and the Electoral Register.
• Chapter Five: Political Parties and Nominations.
• Chapter Six: Voting and Election Results.

Finally, the book concludes with a conclusion, appendices, and a list of sources and references.

Publishing house: Arab Scientific Publishers/Lebanon
Number of Pages: 351
Year of publication: 2011