( CNN ) -- Sudan 's first multiparty elections in 24 years , which wrapped up earlier this week , fell short of international standards but should be recognized as an important step forward for the nation , observers said Saturday . `` While it is too early to offer a final overall assessment , it is apparent that the elections will fall sort of meeting international standards and Sudan 's obligations for genuine elections in many respects , '' said a statement from the Carter Center , one of several groups observing the balloting . `` Nonetheless , the elections are important as a key benchmark in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and because of the increased political and civic participation that has occurred over the last several months . Ultimately , the success of the elections will depend on whether Sudanese leaders take action to promote lasting democratic transformation . '' The European Union Election Observation Mission criticized the election for showing `` significant deficiencies against international standards '' but said the vote paves the way for democratic progress . Counting of ballots began Friday in Sudan , nearly a week after voting began . Sudan 's election commission extended the vote for two days past the original Tuesday deadline after observers complained of technical problems , including ballots being sent to the wrong polling stations and registers that were missing voters ' names . The voting -- for president , parliament and other local positions -- was scrutinized by about 750 international and 18,000 domestic observers . Opposition parties accused the ruling National Congress Party of fraud , prompting some parties to partially or fully withdraw from the vote . One of those parties was the SPLM , or Sudanese People 's Liberation Movement . In a statement Saturday , the party said that despite his withdrawal , SPLM presidential candidate Yasir Saeed Arman held a healthy lead in southern Sudan . Arman withdrew from the presidential race last month , and the party decided to boycott elections in northern Sudan . In the north of the county , Arman `` predictably did not do well in a race he was never part of , '' the SPLM said in the statement . `` The election days were mostly calm , orderly and peaceful , within a well-maintained security environment , '' the EU observation mission said in a Saturday statement . `` The Sudanese people are to be congratulated on the patience and forbearance shown by their considerable voter turnout despite the challenges encountered during the polling days . '' The U.S.-based Carter Center echoed those comments , but noted , `` notwithstanding these generally positive features , Carter Center observers noted important flaws . '' The voter registration process faced `` critical shortcomings , '' the center said , and resulted in `` broad but uneven '' participation across the country . It noted that preliminary lists were not posted for public review , especially in southern Sudan , and `` the status of the final voter registry and list of polling stations remained uncertain . '' In addition , `` on election day , voters faced a range of operational and logistical problems : late delivery of and/or inadequate materials , incomplete or inaccurate voters ' lists , incorrect or insufficient ballots , ballots with inappropriate languages and a lack of consistency in procedures , '' the Carter Center said . The two-day extension in voting helped partially alleviate some of those concerns , it said . The balloting was absent safeguards and transparency necessary to `` verify key steps and build confidence and trust in the process , '' according to the statement . `` Our observers reported problems with ink , ballot box seals , and the process of identifying voters . '' There were also reports of underage voters casting ballots , the center said . The election was a key part of a 2005 peace deal , the Comprehensive Peace Agreement , that helped end decades of civil war between the country 's north and south . The conflict pitted Christian and Animist southerners against Muslim northerners , leaving more than 2 million people dead . The peace deal also called for a referendum next year to determine whether the south should become an independent nation . `` The elections in the South experienced a high incidence of intimidation and the threat or use of force , '' the Carter Center said . `` There were numerous instances of the Sudan Peoples ' Liberation Army intimidating voters and being stationed too close to polling stations . State interference in the campaigns of opposition candidates was widespread in the South . '' However , the EU mission said , the elections showed progress on gender equality , `` as a minimum of 25 percent of all legislative seats will be occupied by women . '' `` This election saw the development of the capacity of civil society : hundreds of groups , encompassing thousands of individual citizens , displayed high levels of commitment and engaged in election observation for many days , '' the EU statement said . `` This extensive involvement by Sudanese civil society who showed great commitment , particularly in domestic observation , contributed to the transparency of the electoral process . '' Election results are expected next week , observers have said .
UN report : ` ` It is apparent that the elections will be sort of meeting international standards '' The agency monitoring elections and vote paves way for democratic progress . Counting of ballots began Friday in Sudan , nearly a week after voting began . Opposition parties accused the Sudan National Congress Party of fraud .