President Bashir denies committing war crimes in Darfur Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has been declared the winner of this month's landmark elections, despite facing war crimes charges over Darfur. Former rebel leader Salva Kiir has been confirmed in power in the semi-autonomous south in the first polls since the north-south war ended. The polls were Sudan's first multi-party elections in 24 years. Observers and opposition parties have complained of fraud and - particularly in the south - of intimidation. Sudan's election commission said Mr Bashir had received 68% of the vote. PRESIDENTIAL RESULTS National Omar al-Bashir, NCP: 68% Yassir Arman, SPLM (withdrawn): 22% Abdallah Deng Nhial, PCP: 4% Hatim al-Sir, DUP: 2% Sadiq al-Mahdi, Umma (withdrawn): 1% Southern Salva Kiir, SPLM: 93% Lam Akol, SPLM-DC: 7% Source: National Elections Commission
President Bashir profile Salva Kiir profile It also said Mr Kiir, leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), had received 93% of the southern vote. The BBC's James Copnall in Khartoum says President Bashir could present his re-election as a popular rebuke for the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in Darfur. Sudan's leader strongly denies the charges. His two main challengers withdrew before the elections began, claiming that the process had already been rigged. Our correspondent says these accusations and withdrawals have dented the credibility of the elections. The SPLM joined a national coalition government after a 2005 peace deal but relations between the supposed partners remain tense. 'No friction' 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. ANALYSIS By James Copnall, BBC News, Khartoum
President Omar al-Bashir, who came to power in a coup two decades ago, can now say he has won multi-party elections.
Both President Bashir and his party in the North, and Salva Kiir and the SPLM in the south, have been able to shore up their power bases dramatically.
Some of the gloss has undoubtedly been removed by the boycott of several major opposition parties and politicians.
But there is no doubt the international community will accept these results - with one eye on next January's crucial referendum on possible southern independence.
The reaction of the northern opposition, and of disaffected southerners who ran against the SPLM, is the thing to be watched closely. Dream result for President Bashir Speaking in a televised address after the poll result was announced, Mr Bashir said: "The referendum in south Sudan will take place on schedule." He described his election win as a victory for "all Sudanese", and played down criticism of the poll, praising "the civilised and respectful conduct during these elections, which saw no clashes or friction". The EU and the Carter Center said the polls were below international standards. But former US President Jimmy Carter said he believed the international community would recognise the winners all the same. Mr Bashir and his National Congress Party were already 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. Tension in Sudan 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. 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. What is your reaction to the announced election results? Send us your views using the postform below. Name
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File photo of Omar al-BashirThe Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir, has been declared the winner of this month's elections, after the first multiparty polls in 24 years. Salva Kiir, a former rebel leader, meanwhile, was also declared president of the semi-autonomous southern Sudan in separate elections.

According to the Sudanese election commission, al-Bashir won 68% of the vote, while Salva Kiir obtained 93% of the vote out of slightly more than 2.5 million total votes.

"The first was Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir. He was the candidate and won," said Abel Alier, the chairman for Sudan's National Elections Commission.

Observers and the opposition complained of fraud in the elections; two of al-Bashir's main opponents withdrew before the voting began, accusing the polling process of being rigged. Al-Bashir is also wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes, which issued a warrant for his arrest, although al-Bashir denies the allegations.