The government apparatus would provide freedoms and representation for all inhabitants of the country, as well as freedom of religion. Dar al-Imam, as usual, welcomed Southerners from every region and tribe. The policy of gaining the trust of the Southerners was set as a major goal, which, if achieved, would result in certain stability in the country and a victory for the idea of independence, to which they had given their youth, elders, and wealth... And Sayyid al-Imam achieved what he wanted. The sons of the South rallied to him to the furthest extent and publicly declared their supportive stance for independence and their strong opposition to any form of union with Egypt. Parliamentary Elections: The second half of 1953 witnessed great political activity in Sudan and a drive to contest the elections in a way the country had never seen before. The Election Committee, stipulated in the Self-Government Agreement, was formed and began to exercise its serious responsibilities, headed by Mr. Scomarsen. While the committee was preparing and appointing its representatives in the electoral districts for the elections in November, the political parties, whose conflict over independence or union with Egypt had become clear, were using all their propaganda and organizational machinery to participate in the largest general elections the country had ever seen, and to contend for two specific principles. It did not occur to Sayyid al-Imam and his men that Egypt, even during the era of the revolution, would remain aloof from the major events taking place in Sudan. However, what astonished everyone was the extreme openness of Egyptian interference in the election battle. This manifested in the use of money, press, and radio to support the unionist movement and undermine the independence call. Al-Amin, who was responsible for it, met the campaigns directed against him with mockery at times and with patience and logic at others. Despite this interference, which the Umma Party considered a violation of the agreement that stipulated a free and neutral atmosphere, and despite the protest submitted by the Umma Party to the Egyptian government and the Election Committee, the Umma Party did not wish to boycott the elections so as not to impede the fundamental effect of the agreement. Amidst this stormy situation, November 1953 arrived, and the elections were held. The Umma Party contested them on one side, and the Unionists on the other, while other small parties also participated, such as the anti-colonialist faction and the Socialist Republican Party. They secured the majority of nominations in the Southern provinces. The nominations for the House of Representatives were in 97 electoral districts, including five for graduates. The nominations for the Senate were in 30 districts for all provinces. The elections concluded with a result that the independents did not expect, despite Egyptian interference in favor of the union; 127