National elections began Monday in Sudan with voters sure to give a new term to President Omar al-Bashir and a victory to his National Congress Party because of a boycott by the country's main opposition parties.
Mr. Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges, has been in power since 1989 and won a 2010 vote that the opposition alleged was rigged. Voters have only the president and a collection of minor candidates to choose from in the election that runs through Wednesday.
The European Union, United States, Britain and Norway have all criticized the election, saying the lack of a promised national dialogue has left Sudan without an inclusive political process.
Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, said the election "cannot produce a credible result with legitimacy throughout the country."
Mr. Bashir has promised peace, development and improvements for the country's economy as up to 13 million voters take part in the first presidential election since South Sudan seceded in 2011, taking with it a vast majority of Sudan's former oil resources.