Voter registration begin in Jonglei
By Philip Thon Aleu
November 2, 2009 (BOR) – National Election Commission (NEC) officials in Jonglei have started voter registration Sunday at 324 centers across south Sudan’s populous, vast and volatile Jonglei state.
Tribal tension, insufficient funding and poor communication networks are some difficulties NEC members say are main challenges.
A public rally meant to formally launch voter registration was held early Monday at the Constitution Square in front of Governor’s office in state capital Bor. At the rally, speakers led by NEC member Dr. Mum Kou argue voters to register.
A Sudanese, 18 years-old and a resident in the geographical constituency for a period not less than 3 months is entitled to register and ready to vote in the first elections expected to inclusively involved southerners since independence from Britain colonial government 54 years ago.
Banners and posters appear everywhere in Bor town and are thought so in villages calling local people to register but low turnout mars the first 2 days. The Sunday non registration is attributed to that day Christians’ prayers and Monday’s case is yet to be explained.
However, a member of NEC in Jonglei state Dr. Mum Kou told the Sudan Tribune at NEC office in Bor that insufficient funding and poor transport due to damaged roads are bottlenecks.
As such, few vehicles are hired to transport registration officers and materials to areas accessible by road. Dr. Mum indicated that registration officers for Pigi and Old Fangak constituencies will be transported there on Wednesday, November 4.
With volatile security situation in Jonglei state and limited communication networks, Dr. Mum says many challenges remain unresolved.
“We cannot reach Ayod, Pibor, Pochala, Greater Fangak areas (including Khorfulus and Atar) Akobo, Uror, Nyirol and other areas in state due to lack of roads,” he says.
Only Bor, Twic East, Duk and part of Ayod counties are accessible by roads. However, with UNMIS, planes airlifted registration to the interior of the state over the weekend, Dr. Mum says.
At the rally earlier, Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk says: “As a governor of Jonglei state, I argue all people; 18 years and above, to register and be ready to vote next April.” Mr. Manyang added that time to campaign to vote for a favorite party is yet to come since its first necessary to have all voters on the list in the right constituencies.
South Sudan Minister of constitutional development Michael Makuei Lueth told the cheering gathering to register to help implementing the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) as “a contribution to the journey for Sudanese liberation.”
Southern Sudanese will vote 12 times in April, 2010. The posts to be contested are: President of the Republic, President Government of Southern Sudan, State governors, Members of the National Assembly, Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, and states assemblies. During the complex electoral process, the voters will elect their MPs based on geographical constituencies, proportional representation and 25% for women.
According to the 5th Sudan Population and Housing Census – 2008, about 4 million voters will be registered in Southern Sudan with highest figure; about 693,000, from Jonglei.
(ST)
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
Voter registration begin in Jonglei
Interesting, have dinkas ever know what is voting. It is true that for the first time of dinkas getting to know what is polling station. But this prove poor management of your government in fact this could be starting here in Juba so that wild born should be learning how to follow peaceful and successful.
DOOR
Voter registration begin in Jonglei
Dear editor,
The position of the southsudan president is NOT going to be contested as you alleged because Kiir will still be the president.
The change will be the governors and the sudan presidency.
Don’t misinform people please! NO change for president Kiir!
Time1
Voter registration begin in Jonglei
Save Jongolie energy for Referendum, prepare to vote for referendum, most Sudanese do not see the benefit of this election, NCP has already rigged it through the census and constituency registration, most constituency in the north which is mopst populated has been filled with NCP eligible voters already, so the result is clear.
BUSTA 2
Voter registration begin in Jonglei
Whom are Jonglese going to vote for?????
It sound fanny because there is no candidate in the South Sudan and am hearing about voter registration has started in Jonglei which is the backward village in South Sudan!!!
No matter how much you try to make Jonglese to feel first class citizen, they will never leave their madness of rapping and stealling.
Brother in Christ,
Busta 2
Dinka Boy
Voter registration begin in Jonglei
Those far away individuals must come to Bor town for their registration. They must used the same means that they used when they attack the civilians.
Thanks
Critic_Ngueny
Voter registration begin in Jonglei
Dear logic dog,
It seems as if you don’t know what you are talking about but you must know please.As I told you the other day that Dinka is not a donkey on which anybody is free to take a joy ride.We know why we fought that is to restore the right and dignity of the Southerners as well as the Sudan at large.Instead of appreciation,you are just talking against us.
This is the first election to be held in Sudan since the civil war broke out in 1983.By the way,have you ever vote for any leader in Sudan.If yes,then the question is where
and when? Logic dog must be logic as he normally claim to be always.
You are the very people who claim to be Sudanese when there is no war but you have dual citizenship,You are Ugandan at the same time you are a Sudanese.Shame on all Equatorian in Southern Sudan for they are not stable like Dinkas who fear nobody in this world.
Critic_Ngueny from Bor town
Critic_Ngueny
Voter registration begin in Jonglei
Dear Logic dog and my house boy Busta2
Who told you that I am a student in Juba University or is that how you always assume thing in Equatoria? sorry,we don’t tell lies in Bor town.
Getting a leader who cannot be bribed or influenced by Arabs like what they did to Joseph Lagu is like hiring of a vehicle to Heaven.Equatorians Are the must collaborators in Sudan.They are also coward like nothing in this world.
Anyway,bark as much as you need but last you will curse the day you were born.
Registration of voters must start in Bor town-Jonglei start because the civil war first broke out there; my dear barking dogs in Equatoria.
There is nothing that should be done without Dinkas in Sudan.Any way you may not belief me because of hatred but the fact remain that there is nothing at all.
Critic_Ngueny from Bor town