Another candidate in Sudan's elections has withdrawn from the race to protest the conduct of the polls as an additional fourth day of voting concluded.

Independent presidential candidate Omar Abdel-Karim said he dropped out of the race to protest what he described as “irregularities” in the voting process.

Abdel-Karim told Radio Tamazuj that he decided to drop out of the election after observing what he said were serious violations by the election commission.

He said the commission allowed a large number of citizens to vote by using names of deceased people, and that those citizens acquired certificates from the popular committees in residential areas.

The former presidential hopeful said his agents observed 60 polling centres in Khartoum without any monitors from the election commission. He vowed to never recognize this election.

Death toll climbs as rebels attack

Meanwhile, the number of dead in fighting between SPLA-North rebels and government forces in South Kordofan state climbed to at least eight as the insurgents continued their push to disrupt voting.

At least eight people have been killed and nine others including children wounded in Kadugli town. A source told Radio Tamazuj that local citizens were reluctant to vote in the town due to the insecurity and that most families fled following shelling by the SPLA-N on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Sudanese military aircraft have reportedly been seen hovering over the town after the rebel attacks. The locals blamed the insecurity and killing on the two warring parties in South Kordofan.

Several polling centres were closed in Kadugli neighbourhoods, but National Minister of Interior Ismat Abel Rahman insisted the rebels failed to disrupt the elections in South Kordofan.

Turnout still low

Meanwhile, reports of low voter turnout continued across the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Thursday despite the electoral body extending the elections an extra day. There are rumors there may be a further extension to Saturday as well.

Radio Tamazuj’s Khartoum correspondent said at Hai Arkawit polling centre only two voters were seen.

Our correspondent also saw police personnel and members of the election commission at Al Salama polling center, while in Al Imam Hassan centre at Hai Al Azhari, vehicles carrying police personnel were seen going to cast their vote.

Traders near the centre where the ruling party erected tents to monitor the vote said only a small number of people voted there.

In one of Sudan's cities, men call on passers-by to cast their vote in the poll centre behind during the first election day on 13 April 2015 (photo by Dabanga Sudan)