One of Sudan's key opposition parties has said that it plans to boycott the country's elections. A spokesman said the Umma party would not take part in the Presidential, Parliamentary or state polls. Sudan's first multi-party elections since 1986 are scheduled to begin on Sunday. The Umma party's decision follows that of the main southern Sudan party, the SPLM, to boycott the vote in the northern areas. Head of Umma's political bureau Sarah Nugdalla said "We have decided to boycott the electoral process at all levels". Umma was among a group of opposition parties that had given the Sudanese government a deadline to introduce reforms in return for a pledge to take part in the elections as long as these were delayed until May. The party had won the previous legislative elections in 1986, only to be later removed from power by current President Omar al-Bashir. The withdrawal of the party from the elections will further damage to the credibility of the democratic process.