Voter registration resumption kicks off in Northern Bahr el Ghazal

By Ngor Arol Garang

November 29, 2009 (MALAKAL) — Weeks after confirmation of the closure of voter registration centers following inadequacy of forms and materials, the government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, has on Saturday 28 announced reception of forms and voting material to resume registration process in the area.

Speaking from Aweil town, Mawien Kuc, State head of the national election commission, said registration process has resumed and is good process.

“We have received forms and voting materials” which, according to him, will finish the remaining period.

Although they may not be enough, the ones we have received shall have covered most parts of the counties, payams and villages by December 7, he further said.

Similarly, Mr. Peter Lual Lual Ayok, Member of Parliament at Southern Legislative Assembly in Juba, confirmed receipt of forms and voting materials.

The honorable Member of Parliament said returned to Juba on Thursday 26 after having gone to his constituency to abet voter registration process.

He said registration process has resumed and good numbers of people registering in centers of his constituency.

“While at home, I on Wednesday 25, checked records of the registration teams from my constituency to find that almost all villages have been covered,” he said.

“The turning out is high because we the members of parliament who left Juba for Northern Bahr el Ghazal State of Aweil, went and teamed up with state members of parliament and local authorities to enlighten public importance of registration to vote,” he added.

Hon. Lual stressed that “our people” not only in Aweil but across southern Sudan were initially reluctant to register because they were not educated.

He said they campaigned in churches, common places such as markets, water points, schools and even in local drums. He also said he did a door to door mobilization in his home village to ensure registration of people there.

He appreciated the work done by the state government to allow use of government vehicles for registration.

Governor Malong has embraced registration process by allowing government vehicles and other facilities for use in the registration, saying he wished this was done during census.

(ST)