"The Southern Sudan referendum allowed the free expression of the will of the people for self-determination," according to a preliminary statement released by two citizen election monitoring groups in Sudan. "Turnout was massive, in a peaceful environment, and administrative procedures met national legal requirements in an atmosphere of respect and cooperation." The Sudanese Network for Democratic Elections (SuNDE) and the Sudanese Group for Democracy and Elections (SuGDE) issued the statement based on more than 10,000 reports by 3,000 observers who observed all seven days of balloting at polling stations across Southern Sudan.

SuNDE and SuGDE have monitored all stages of the election process. Here is a collection of statements and highlights from their monitoring activities.

• Feb. 4, 2011, SuNDE and SuGDE release statement on the tabulation process and
  announce the 2011 Southern Sudan referendum preliminary results»
• Jan. 20, 2011, Will of the people of Southern Sudan credibly expressed through Southern Sudan referendum»
• Jan. 20, 2011, SuNDE and SuGDE's preliminary statement on the 2011 Southern Sudan referendum processes»
• Jan. 17, 2011, SuNDE and SuGDE observers finish observation, data entry and analysis begins»
• Jan. 8, 2011, SuNDE and SuGDE to observe the referendum with over 3,000 volunteers»
• Jan. 4, 2011, SuNDE and SuGDE issue a pre-polling statement»
• Dec. 21, 2010, the groups issue a statement on the exhibition and objections process»
• Dec. 13, 2010, the groups issue a statement on the voter registration process preceeding the referendum vote»
• Dec. 13, 2010, SuNDE releases statement on voter registration process»
• Nov. 22, 2010, in Southern Sudan, coalition monitors voter registration process in advance of historic vote»
• Nov. 13, 2010, SuNDE issues a statement on the eve of the voter registration process»
• Nov. 13, 2010, SuNDE assess referendum processes on eve of registration, 700 observers to be deployed in Sudan»
• April 24, 2010, SuNDE and SuGDE issue a statement on the national elections»
• April 24, 2010, domestic observers cite failings in Sudanese elections»
• March 25, 2010, Sudanese civic organizations prepare to observe April elections»
• Dec. 11, 2009, SuNDE issues a statement on the voter registration process preceeding the national elections»
• Oct. 21, 2009, local coalition group educates voters in Southern Sudan»

For more about Sudan, visit the SuNDE's website, NDI's Sudan page or NDI's library of focus group research the Institute has conducted through the country.