It took me a while to answer this question because I too did not understand your question and had to do some research to get details. From what I have read lately there is no predetermined quota arrangement within Sudan’s electoral system, with the exception for the representation of women in the various legislatures (more on this below).

If I remember correctly, I mentioned to you that Sudan’s present power sharing system of governance forces the various levels of government to have specific ratios of representation. This representation is an Interim Government structure as stipulated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and becomes the basis of government prior to holding the general elections.

There are four levels of government each with their own jurisdiction: 1) The Government of National Unity (GoNU) that protects and promots the sovereignty of the Sudan, consists of both a National Assembly and a Council of States ; 2) The Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) that exercises authority in Southern Sudan, consists of a Transitional Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly; 3) State government for each State throughout Sudan (north and south); and 4) Local government throughout the Sudan (north and south).

According to the Summary Booklet of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement as published by GoSS’ Ministry for Information and Broadcasting, within the Power Sharing Protocol, “the parties agreed to create a decentralized system of governance with significant devolution of powers. In that system, the GoNU will exercise sovereignty over the entire Sudan, but will link to the States of Southern Sudan through the GoSS.”

The GoNU’s National Assembly consists of 52% representation from Sudan’s dominant National Congress Party, 28% from Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, 14% from Other Northern Political Parties, and 6% Other Southern Political Parties. GoNU’s Council of States consists of 46% NCP, 34% SPLM, 12% Other northern parties, and 8% Other southern parties. The Northern Sudan States consist of 70% NCP, 10% SPLM, 20% Other northern parties, and 0% Other southern parties.

The Government of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly consists of 15% NCP, 70% SPLM, 0% Other Northern parties, and 15% Other southern parties. Southern State governments consist of 10% NCP, 70% SPLM, 0% Other Northern parties and 20% Other southern parties. The special areas of Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile and Abyei have their own ratios.

As I understand it, these ratios, decided in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement will be overridden by the 2010 election results.

I mentioned earlier that the representation of women is ‘guaranteed’ within the National Elections Act of 2008. The composition of the National Legislature, the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, and State Legislative Assemblies will follow the following ratios to include the participation of women in Sudan’s governance: 60% of the members shall be elected to represent geographical constituencies at their respective levels; 25% of women members shall be elected on the basis of proportional representation from separate and closed party lists; and 15% of members shall be elected on the basis of proportional representation from separate and closed party lists.

So (barring other variables) the electorate will, indeed, see the outcome of their vote reflected in their representatives.

I’m wondering about one thing here. I can’t find information about the Sudan elections’ quota system. I’m wondering what the use of the elections is, if there are already quotas defined for every political party. Isn’t that a waste of resources? If people are to vote, they might want to see the outcome of their vote reflected in their representatives, no?

Keep up the good work!

Frédéric