S. Sudanese opposition parties petition electoral commission
January 22, 2015 (JUBA) – An alliance of South Sudanese opposition parties have petitioned the country’s electoral commission over its plans to hold general elections later this year.
The National Elections Commission set 30 June as the election date.
“We are here to raise a constitutional suit against the National Elections Commission so that we seek an injunction for the date that has been fixed for elections to be declared null and void,” Lam Akol, the leader of the main opposition Sudan People;s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) told reporters.
“We have been saying all along that the priority is for peace to prevail because without peace you cannot have stability. You cannot have communities coexisting, you cannot have the atmosphere required for free, fair and transparent elections,” he added.
Akol, while addressing reporters at the Constitutional Court, also expressed optimism that the legal system would “correctly” rule in accordance to the 2011 constitution.
“The National Alliance submitted this morning a constitutional suit to the Supreme Court seeking injunction against holding the elections on June 30, 2015 on the basis of Article 126 subsection (2) (c) and (k) of the Constitution, read together with Section 18 of the Civil Procedures Act 2008, for the violation of Article 194 of the Constitution and many sections of the National Elections Act 2012,” said the SPLM-DC leader.
Steward Soroba, the deputy chairperson of the United Democratic Party (UDP), argued that the country’s constitutional provisions were very clear on election-related matters.
“The constitution says elections should take place when there is a permanent constitution and there is no permanent constitution and elections should take place when census is there and it has not being done,” said Soroba.
Agok Makur, an advocate representing the petitioners, said he cherishes the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all people, regardless of their tribes, region and culture have the right to live together in harmony with equal opportunities, including the right to allowed to vote without fear for threats, intimidations and subjected killing.
“Our constitution should be the guiding document and be the basis of any decision on matters related to the affairs of the nation. According to the transitional constitution, there are several activities to be organized and conducted before elections are held. These are prerequisite requirements which cannot be ignored,” he told reporters.
Makur cited the census and registration of parties as key requirements for an election to occur.
“But the most important of all is the lack of conducive environment for these elections to be organised, because as you know the country is at war. So it is imperative peace is given utmost priority,” he said.
Abednego Akok, the chairperson of the National Elections Commissions, dismissed the opposition’s court petition, insisting the electoral body was operating constitutionally.
The same constitution talks about holding elections before 9 July, Akok said.
(ST)