**Sudan’s elections commission is due to announce the results of this month’s landmark elections, with President Omar al-Bashir expected to retain power.**The polls were one of the world’s most complex ever and Sudan’s first multi-party elections in 24 years.
The SPLM former rebels are also expected to be confirmed in power in the semi-autonomous south in the first polls since the north-south war ended.
Observers and opposition parties have complained of fraud in north and south.
Tension was raised over the weekend, with reports of clashes along the north-south border.
Some 55 people were said to have been killed in clashes between an Arab community and southern soldiers.
Cattle clashes
Correspondents say if confirmed, President Bashir’s re-election would be an embarrassment for the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant against him for war crimes in Darfur.
Sudan’s leader strongly denies the charges.
However, his victory is almost certain, as his two main challengers withdrew before the elections began, claiming that the process had already been rigged.
Mr Bashir and his National Congress Party are well ahead in the results already announced from the 11-15 April elections.
As well as the national and southern presidential contests, elections were also held for the national, regional and state parliaments and state governors.
The weekend violence was the most serious since the polls.
The clashes reportedly began over grazing rights for cattle - a common source of conflict in the area.
But southern government officials say their soldiers were attacked by members of the northern army - charges denied in Khartoum.
The SPLM joined a national coalition government after a 2005 peace deal but relations remain tricky between the supposed partners.
A referendum is due in 2011 on whether the south, where most people are Christian or follow traditional religions, should secede from the Arab-dominated mostly-Muslim north.
Mr Bashir has said he would respect the outcome of the referendum but some fear conflict could resume, especially in the oil-rich border region.This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bbcnewsworldfullfeed?d=yIl2AUoC8zA http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bbcnewsworldfullfeed?d=dnMXMwOfBR0 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bbcnewsworldfullfeed?i=5X5CWrrodDc:vUaE4rqhIXo:V_sGLiPBpWU
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bbcnewsworldfullfeed/~4/5X5CWrrodDc