Political leaders call for voter registration after sluggish process in WES

By Richard Ruati

November 6, 2009 (YAMBIO, WES) — As Western Equatoria State enters its 4 days of slow voter registration, senior political heavyweights have heightened public awareness that presents a new and valuable opportunity to reduce the shortcomings of existing lack of awareness to potential voters and to moving rapidly towards adopting solutions that will increase accuracy and citizens’ confidence and convenience in the registration process.

“Virtually every element of lack of information to the voter registration centers – from the equipment used to pass information to the civilians, to the registration of voters, to the location of precincts to voters, to the verification of voter status in understanding the process, to the management and operation of registration, to the modes of communications is a preclude for high turn up for voter registration,” said Dr. Ann Itto, the SPLM Deputy Secretary for Southern Sector who had visited Western Equatoria to encourage citizens to register.

However, the Iron lady has called on the masses of Western Equatoria state to turn up for massive registration.

These calls come as many local chiefs and citizens are expressing concerns and frustrations about lack of information on the registration centers, requesting dramatic changes to suck shortcomings.

DISAPPOINTMENTS

Dr Itto expressed that, she is disappointed with the National Elections Commission, because the fundamental voter registration is not being made accessible to the common men and women in the villages whom the information need to reach them.

She added that, the most disappointing aspect again event in urban areas, people don’t where to register, adding frankly 30 days is too short for the registration to complete as expected.

National Election Commission (NEC) High Committee in WES has blamed this on the delay in receiving funds, so far they have received only 20% of the total funding, which have allowed them to hire only 30 vehicles, already two of the vehicles have broken done with registration materials and Registration Officers in a state which is almost the size of Uganda.

“This is not real a delay, but it puts a question to why this is happening under the watchful eyes of NEC, when a vehicle taking election materials breaks down and what if some wrong elements gain access to it and they use it for confusing people, this is unacceptable,” remarked Dr Itto.

She added that, “in other places it could be worse, registration may start on the 10th, who can account for these delays? Obviously it is the NEC, because until now the National Election Commission has not even accredited the monitors and party agencies.”

The Sudanese Electoral dictates that, party agencies cannot enter registration rooms until they get ID card from NEC based in Khartoum.

Dr Itto called on the National Elections Commission to account for this, improve and change their programming, they must improve the access and passing of information, otherwise 10% of eligible voters may not be covered.

“OBVIOUSLY SPLM IS GOING TO FILE A CASE”

SPLA War Veteran and senior SPLM popular politician, Joseph Bakosoro echoed the call on the citizens to register, he urged them that, “if you don’t turn up you will not change any body now you believe is good to lead or govern you, as registration is the only change agency accepting current and future leaders.” He made these remarks to many in Western Equatoria who are reluctant to register because they don’t who to vote for.

In related development, the Chairman of United Democratic Front (UDF) has appealed too, to the citizens to turn up.

As the trumpet continue to blow and call, the nation is still waiting to see whether the call is getting to the eligible voters.

The Sudanese election is a crucial benchmark of holding the comprehensive peace agreement which was signed in 2005

Under the 2005 peace deal to ended 22 years of war in the south, the elections are supposed to be held before the 2011 referendum that may determine one Sudan or South Sudan forming its own country.

THE ELECTION’S COMPLEX MECHANISMS

This election by its nature is having complex events, with a host of different players and processes. Registration and election mechanisms include inter-related and overlapping guidelines, responsibilities and jurisdictions.

The polls would be Sudan’s first democratic elections in more than two decades.

The peace deal ended a 22-year civil war between the north and the south.

The two parties signed the 2005 deal and share power at a national level but analysts say relations remain tense.

The peace deal gave the south a semi-autonomous government and provided for a referendum on independence for the south by 2011.

(ST)