Allegations of intimidation in W. Equatoria balloting
April 12, 2010 (YAMBIO) — Confusion and disarray have emerged in many polling centers particularly in Southern Sudan’s W. Equatoria State, with many voters struggling to find their names on the published registration lists.
The run-up to the election has been confusing for onlookers. Again, many other polling centers did not open until midday. These kinds of confusion left many voters wondering what to do, many elderly women and men were left disappointed.
In Yambio, Nzara, and Maridi there are reports of rigging spearheaded by the state security agents and security organs. Zereda Morihengayou, 19, said Mrs Ann Joyce Richard Noti, special campaigner manager for SPLM Gubernatorial contender Jemma Nunu Kumba was seen deploying an SPLA force at Comboni Secondary School polling center. The center is serving as an hub for all registered voters in Masia estates.
“I saw her, she threatened the party agents to leave the polling center, or else she will order SPLA to shoot,” said the source. After another local observer shouted “shoot who?” she escaped into her car. She was together with the Police Commissioner and with her husband Michael who comes from Bahr El Ghazal region. Eyewitnesses saw them with four vehicles loaded with armed police and SPLA forces – ballot papers and stamps were carried out by the group.
The Police Commissioner known in Yambio as “shooter of students” and Ann Joyce are both supporters of WES’s incumbent governor. Ann Joyce is the daughter of Hon Richard Noti Runge, WES’s outgoing speaker. Joyce is viewed by some in Yambio as being involved with security forces. She works in private business with the incumbent governor and the two lived together in Nairobi before the signing of the CPA.
In another development, party agents for gubernatorial independent candidates were forced to leave Ikpiro polling center west of Yambio town. The National Election Commission allows party agents to spend the night at the polling center, if they sense environment of rigging, so that way they serve as watchdogs too.
Hipaingba Gracia, a local observer, told Sudan Tribune that “some polling officers in Nzara and Yambio Counties were advising the illiterate voters to tick only the SPLM star symbol, or they decided to tick for blind voters.”
Sources from Maridi County said a polling center close to an army barracks at Hai Gabat in Maridi town has been hijacked by security forces, apparently harassing and bullying supporters of Mr. Adel Sandrai who is aspiring for GOSS Assembly from Maridi Constituency as an independent.
Corporal Athor Jenje, leading military police in Maridi, is said to be involved in exerting force on voters. However, Maridi County’s Executive Director Clement Baime intervened, removing the unpopular officer in Maridi out from polling center coded as 15, polling center No. 9.
“If so many people feel disfranchised, it could lead to violence and tension which is bubbling already in Western Equatoria,” said a voter.
Several months ago the 2010 CPA anniversary celebration was blighted by violence as security forces cracked down on angry students. The security forces — who shot at students in January – have not received sensitivity training in dealing with the public.
Campaigning from January to early April largely went smoothly except for some intimidations and nasty politicking.
Sudan Tribune’s efforts to reach the W. Equatoria NEC High Committee were unsuccessful. Neither Mr. Sulubia Lawrence, Head of the NEC High Committee, nor the High Committee’s Secretary General Simon Ngbiidigi answered their phone.
(ST)
thieleling
Allegations of intimidation in W. Equatoria balloting
Dear south sudanese,
It is inevitable that this election invites violence. The SPLA forces should have stay at their military baracks, instead of bullying or intimidating the innocent civilian voters. This election is a curse to block south sudan’s independence.
Violence will rule south sudan in the next few weeks, that leads to post-election crisis. Nunu and the SPLM in WES need to understand they would not be spared if they provoke the civilian populace to violence confrontations!!
Time1
Allegations of intimidation in W. Equatoria balloting
This Hearsay about someone said this and someone did that cannot be taken serious, because every body is supporting thier resoective parties, the whole country has been suffering from the election irregularities not W.E.S alone, thats why more time has been given to vote, so stop crying.
Dinka Boy
Allegations of intimidation in W. Equatoria balloting
Western Equatorian should understand that the present of SPLA in the area does not mean shooting,they are there to protect the civilians. This particular article is full of bias. No any single authority can says that he/she will order shooting to civilians.
Please dear Southerners, we have to encouraged each other not to lies with the intention of spoiling the respected party”SPLM” for lies that can not be proved.
Thanks
Acid
Allegations of intimidation in W. Equatoria balloting
Any soldiers led by idiot and uneducated will always act like him; Kiir Mayardit is an idiot, don’t be surprise if those soldiers do something him. What he mightn’t know is, anything build based on intimidation isn’t always peaceful, and he better prepare for consequences!!
babadit
Allegations of intimidation in W. Equatoria balloting
People of western Equatoria be claims voting days has been added to 5, i meant two other days added again to make the voting done in all the areas in the south,
so don’t worry we know there is already problems but even those who try to intimidate will not go through