KHARTOUM, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has chosen President Omar al-Bashir as its candidate for presidential elections slated for 2020, official SUNA news agency reported Friday.

This decision came after the NCP's consultation council approved amendments to its constitution on Thursday evening, where the limit on presidential candidacy to two terms was cancelled.

The amendments also demand to increase women's participation in the state's bodies from 25 percent to 30 percent.

The NCP's consultation council, known as Shura, is the second highest authority of the party after the 400-member General Congress. Among its tasks is the election of the members of the party's leadership bureau.

Al-Bashir assumed power after a military coup in 1989. He won presidential elections in April 2010, before running for the presidency again in April 2015, where he scored a sweeping victory.