Ex-finance minister calls for cancellation of elections in NBGS

By Ngor Arol Garang

April 14, 2010 (TURAEL) — Ex- finance and economic planning minister in the regional government of Southern Sudan, Kuol Athian Mawien, who contests as an independent candidate in the ongoing poll for a parliamentary seat in Juba, called for cancellation of elections describing the situation in his home state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal as unfavorable for the conduct of free and fair elections.

Kuol said all his agents have been expelled from polling stations. “I have been denied representation at all stations in my constituency at Korok. They have been expelled and 34 of them including 7 women have been arrested without charges and no investigation is being conducted,” he said. “No elections are being conduct here. There are no elections at all,” he added.

Bol Deng Akot, a businessman in the town, on the other hand, preferred to ignore these claims and reports of intimidations, threats , accusations and counter accusations of voter rigging and described them as means of seeking power. The accused and those accusing are seeking power by any means including killing if it is the alternative to get into power, he said.

“There are problems but calling for cancellation is not the solution. There are other ways to settle these issues and cancellations may not negative impact in the conduct of referendum which is important,” he said adding that he understands that elections are not meant for violence.

“They are for peaceful transfer of power from individual leader to the other and empowerment of citizens to choose how their affairs should be managed,” he said. He also added that these elections could have been a test of democracy in Southern Sudan as we prepare for independence early next year.

Mawien Dut Anei, an intellectual in the area also opposed call made by the ex-minister to postpone elections saying deferral of the ongoing poll is not an alternative. There many ways to settle pre-election dispute. Disputes we have in Aweil occurred because elections and so elections should be used as a scapegoat, he said.

But Garang Chol holds a different opinion. He says there is no wonder that after this rigged elections Southern Sudan is going to enter into many difficulties:

“First, the out come of these elections will destroy the already existing harmony among the Southerners, it will be tantamount to hatreds right from families, friends and neighbors, some supporters of the losers are likely to wage wars among themselves and eventually, will destabilize the country,” he said

(ST)