Jonglei urged to maintain peace during elections process
By Philip Thon Aleu
January 2, 2010 (BOR) – Contenders for various seats in South Sudan and state assemblies have called for calm during nominations of candidates ahead of this year elections. In many cases, new political rivals are emerging within the SPLM for parliamentary seats at states and Juba levels.
Alier Ayom Aluong (SPLM), from Bor north constituency, has applied for the seat of South Sudan Assembly. Michael Makuei Lueth – South Sudan minister of legal affairs and constitutional development is currently holding this seat. Minister Makuei is also interested in post. But being both SPLM members – and wishing to use SPLM ticket in this election.
The duo has to win community support. Series of meetings have being going on in Makuach Payam – where the two hail, but with little success to convince one in preference of another.
Alier Ayom told the Sudan Tribune on Friday that “people should remain calm” during the domination period and beyond. He says his contending because the public support him. Before the SPLM ‘Electorate College’ decides, a contender or two must win local communities’ support. But Minister Makuei Lueth is not ruled out by a committee dealing with elections cases including theirs.
However, Alier says he cannot discuss any more.
“This is a public opinion [to up take the seat]….and we need not to discuss this issue,” he responded when asked whether he has ignored the on-going meeting meant to end the row over who should contest. He added that the SPLM electorate college will decide their fate.
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has formed what it calls ‘Electorate College’ composed of 25 members at States level. The group is charged to release application forms to interested party’s candidates and collecting them back.
For the post of Sudan federal parliament, state Governor, South Sudan and state assemblies’ forms are available here. Other forms including party list and women representation form are also at state levels. The body deals with creating awareness for elections and ensures that “power is given back to the people;” said Norah Zangabeyo head SPLM Electorate College. She says the College will observe maximum code of conduct while nominating applicants for various posts.
“There is no joke. The power is given back to the people,” she says.
But there has being complaints that the party’s Electorate College may favor current post holders, something Norah dismissed like other contenders.
“There SPLM has being with the people for so long. I think the SPLM [Electorate College] will do the right thing [since] the opinion of the public has being expressed,” Alier Ayom said when asked to comment on the electorate college roles.
Effort made to reach Minister Makuei Lueth to hear part of story for the seat he holds has being futile by press time.
In another case in the same constituency at State level, Chol Gai Arou has applied to challenge Maker Chol Adol.
If that is the case in many constituencies in south Sudan, then the ‘power is given back’ will be realized after SPLM Electorate College decides who should use its tickets in elections.
Norah calls for peaceful nominations of leaders by communities in Jonglei saying “Jonglei is where our late leader John Garang comes from and still paying the price for peace. The world, Sudan and South Sudan in particular are watching you. Please, show good example in this election like you did in war [of liberation].”
Promising transparency, Norah says all applicants will be known when the deadline extended to January 5, 2010 expires. She says marks will be allocated according to answers provided in the application forms without taking side.
(ST)
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
Jonglei urged to maintain peace during elections process
Ladies and Gentlement I like your views in regard to peace within ourselves. GOSS need to put his eyes strongly on insecurity measures in order to maintain our dreams peace and unity. The only thing i suspect as a main cause of destruction in South is insecurity, people think apart from each due to insecurity. If we are ready to fight insecurity means we are ready to live in unity and peace. Important thing is that GOSS need to provide police in all dangerous areas.
New Year Message
Time for tribalism has gone, 2010 is not a time to generalise tribe or community instead of one person. It is time to focus on the real issue far from tribal criticism, political party criticism, leaders criticism, and very far from abuses or insults. We should also debate far from abuses of any single commenter on ST forum, to myself I want to be a man of tolerance, peace, responsbility, respect, love, unity and courage . It is time to get serious and work for the betterment of my nation South Sudan (New name). For now lets start new year with fresh mind and positive ideas that will improvement the managment of South Sudan, childish comments must be ignored without reply. This is my new year message to ST viewers, contributors, pseuds, readers and editor. Happy new year, all the best for life at mama suksuk hotels, Juba city, South Sudan.
Dinka Boy
Jonglei urged to maintain peace during elections process
People of Jonglei and the other states, we need 2010 and 2011 to be the special time to isolate the khartoum government without their influence in the Southern States.
We need to open our eyes for the element of peace and unity in the states because the Bashier governmnet used other Southerners as their forces indirectly so that our Southern Sudan will look like failed,but we will not be failed for ever. Yes, Caution must be taken during election process of 2010 and 2011.
Thanks
Oduck Bol
Jonglei urged to maintain peace during elections process
What kind of hero who build himself and his county first? Oh myself,the is my culture. I have a dream for you. If you follow my vision you will lead this nation again as I did.
Iam stile reaching for this answer guys.