Is credibility of this election an issue?

By Isaiah Abraham

April 13, 2010 — One of the historical landmarks of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi five years ago has come and its curtail is coming down quickly by Thursday. This election has been pushed behind four times and its fifth push has been yesterday, for Thursday. Sudanese from all walks of lives can’t remember what critical issues to vote for and who is best suit to handle them head on. Some voters aren’t sure what it takes as a voter to change things for better or worse. Candidates had enough moments with voters, but that never remove the essence of this election. I think people went to polls on Sunday about two key issues: for majority of Northerners, this election is about President Al Bashir vs International Criminal Court (ICC); and for Southern Sudanese its all about a step leading to referendum in January 2011. Everything else is secondary and insignificance. Many Sudanese have stake therefore in this election.

Here we are at the historic election, that most voters (99.9% in fact) in the Southern Sudan experience for the first time, what do we make of three days that have come and gone? Are you satisfied with the process and if not who to blame in this hurly-burly at the first polling day? Though we still have more days to go in this election, with logistical problems still hanging over our heads, so far, it has been peaceful and free. This has been an encouragement in itself. The world is watching Sudan so closely, and Sudanese have the duty to prove to outsiders and friends that we are already there despite challenges in this important exercise. It has been a great occasion and a bright dawn for a country that knew no real freedom of choice. We are proud of Sudanese friends and peace lovers for making this event a reality!

How about this: a strong British Broadcasting Corporation (The BBC) team led by its anchors Uduak Amimo, Josephine Hezeleyand Caroline Karobia have pitched camps in Juba, covering every bit of the election from its 25 states, what do you make of this gesture from the world renowned broadcaster? Superb, yeah? Observers from every corner of the world are moreover here, including former Ghananian President John Kaffuor of the African Union (AU). This is indeed incredible. In fact this is what happen anywhere in the world these days, and hence the importance of democracy to the modern man/woman. People are allowed to elect their representatives freely and fairly; short cut to power are no longer fashionable. I will leave this space (argument) like that and turn to the content of our argument by highlighting issues many people think are issues in this election. That is, there is a need to look back at what we think had happened in relation to the credibility of this election?

Let’s start by saying the obvious: this election was bound to fall short of the international standard given the age in which this country spent in wars and political unrest. Five years aren’t enough time to meet expectations about democracy, transparency and fairness. This should be in the back of our minds. Irregularities at whatever form, as we encountered in the first day and yesterday, especially in the case of Western Equatoria State, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Central Sudan (White Nile State), Abyei Area, Eastern Equatoria State, Northern Darfur and the Southern Kordofan States, can’t amount to total failures by authorities to conduct fair election. The problem to my best judgment isn’t about irregularities or rigging, rather somewhat poor NEC organization and logistical nightmare. NEC Organization basically means ballot boxes should have been in their polling stations on time, the original list of registered votes have been tampered with, either maliciously or through technical/computer errors and no proper explanations given; civic education wasn’t largely done to many voters. Returning officers or say election officers performance was wanting, voters scamper around looking for their missing names, missing voting materials and other simple complaints from voters (double voting, for example). Yet, this can’t dent the entire election exercise.

Now we have an election marred by disorganization and not necessarily irregularities, is it fair for observers to run around with conclusions and baptize this election as fraud, unfair and a rigged election? I don’t think we can do just that given the complexity of this election as well as the history of this election. In the North we have eight (8) ballot boxes to vote and the South Sudan there are twelve (12) ballot boxes to cast ballots; is that not a complication for a first time voter? I believe it is one, but the problem lies somewhere and National Electoral Commission (NEC) had a bigger portion of blame.

So, how do you make of this election? Is it fair, free and credible if the three days experiences are anything to go by? Credibility of this election, I propose, isn’t a deal even if we don’t deny that the fact there have been problems here and there (as my proficient and colleague Dr. James Okuk Solomon had correctly put it home yesterday). What is important to this author is democracy; this animal has won fairly! We have had people expressing their will without fear and intimidation, pockets of the same notwithstanding. Voters across the country are very enthusiastic and excited by the exercise and this is good news for the future of this country. This is what counts! After all, most elections (US included) around the world are prone to issues of irregularities. No perfect election anywhere, ours shouldn’t be exception. We still however have a daunting test ahead.

The test to be overcome in this election is during the official announcement of winners. This is gonna be a challenge because of the confidence candidates have built in the process of their campaigns. Each contester assumes he/she is the best against his/her opponent. Losers will shout the loudest (cry wolf), and hence there is going to be court cases and probably violence against NEC and ruling parties. Issue of losers congratulating winners shall not arise, due to the bitter and hate campaign our politicians had pushed this election. May be my people should not slave themselves into this thinking. For the sake of peace and transition ahead of us, we should quickly move away from what can disturb our peace and stability. More elections shall still come.

For Southern Sudan, His Excellency the President of Southern Sudan had flagged off an activity by saying that “time for military takes over power are far behind”. Thanks Mr. President for that historic reminder! Momentum has already been reached; this is what characterizes this election, and not whether it is fair and credible. Our next election possibly after we are East African will be an improvement from this election, because we shall have learned lessons from this election. This a ‘try and error’ thing and tomorrow we will indeed do better for ourselves and others. Let’s close gaps within the next seven months to ensure we have our voice heard at the referendum.

We can call this election an experimental and hope our politicians shall pick up pieces (learn a lesson or two) from this election for better in our next election, particularly during referendum voting. This is so critical, because at that time Southerners need to have their names dually registered, to be able to vote for that vital box. Let’s then close this chapter of this election and move on now to the last lap in January 2011. I believe the same team is coming back in tact. I pray for peace, good governance and equality for all Southerners from their newly elected (mandated) leaders. May God bless and heal our people/land.

Isaiah Abraham, lives in Juba; he is on [email protected]