Alor tells Abyei voters to vote without fear of violence

By Ngor Arol Garang

April 11, 2010 (ABYEI) — Deng Alor Kuol, a senior member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and a native of Abyei, has called upon Abyei electorates to vote freely without fear of any possible violence.

The Sudanese Foreign Minister arrived from Khartoum, casted his vote today at his native village of Maker, in northern Abyei. He was accompanied by other well-known figures and natives of the area including members of the media and the area’s chief administrator, Deng Arop Kuol.

Never deny yourselves right to vote during these elections because of any concern. It is a national event being conducted peacefully everywhere. This is why there are security forces around you. They are your protection, he said.

Elections in the area though started late at 11:00 am o’clock (local time) remains to be peaceful as residents continue to enjoy peaceful Polling Day with full security as majority of the local inhabitants showed exciting faces and hope to see possible change through elected candidates of their choice in the oil-rich region of Abyei.

Security measures have been beeped up. All polling stations are fully protected as security forces are deployed distance of 4 kilo meters from the polling stations.

A voter walks with smiles and exchanged greetings and friendly chats with members of the security forces.

Agents belonging to all political parties participating in the elections get access to the monitoring at the polling stations without stops and intimidations. Similarly, official observers and journalists with proper identification cards have full access to and from the polling stations.

Many residents seen and interviewed by journalists at the polling station were so keyed up admitting that it is the first time for them to participate in such multiparty elections.

These elections considered as the first multi-party ballot for 24 years, are being contested by the ex-rebel turned ruling party in the South, the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM), against former enemies in the North, the National Congress Party (NCP).

On Sunday, the Sudanese cast their vote for the first time since 1986 in a multiparty elections supposed to mark the democratic transition in the country and elect a government and parliament to organize the southern Sudan referendum on self-determination.

In Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Unity states, claims of blockage of agents associated with independent candidates have been reported but authorities were quick to deny.

Notwithstanding these concerns and reports of irregularities coming out in the region, citizens of Abyei pledged commitment and adherence to the conduct of credible result in the region. I

In an interview with Alor Kuol, a local representative of the National Election Commission in the area, who said they are conducting elections as part of Warrap, expressed optimism that election results in constituencies located in Abyei will be fraud free though part of Warrap.

“We are running these elections as attached to Warrap State. This is why we do not have candidates contesting for the post of Abyei chief administrator,” he said

The official further explained that elections for Abyei administration were agreed upon by the two parties to be postponed.

“We are alone waiting for referendum;” he said accepting that elections in the region being are conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, free of violence, harassment or intimidation.

We have enough security forces deployed to all polling stations since yesterday. Arop however accepted starting late today citing logistical concerns. “We had limited resources and moving ballot papers and boxes at once was not possible but we have finished moving them all anyway,” he said.

(ST)