Stiff gubernatorial race in Northern Bahr el Ghazal favors SPLM candidate

By Ngor Arol Garang

April 18, 2010 (WUNROK) -Vote counting operations continue to be conducted in remaining polling stations in the hotly contested poll of the southern state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal.

Deng Kuol Mawien, a poll officer at Maduany, Aweil town, said counting process in the whole state is almost at finishing stage. “We are almost finishing. We have finished sorting and counting Aweil town today and we are receiving all the figures from the stations outside Aweil town,” he said.

“Sorting and counting for today started early at 6:00 Am and ended just now at 2:12 PM this afternoon,” he adds.

Mawien further added that most of the poll officials reportedly reluctant to go on counting owing to the delay of their incentives in Aweil South County, have changed their minds and started counting since yesterday.

Asked who of the two contenders for gubernatorial post would likely win, he said it is too early to project adding each candidate goes ahead of the other in some counties and constituencies by small differences.
“Figures we have from Aweil west and north counties shows General Dau was ahead of General Malong,” he said. “While figures of the counted votes, coming from Aweil East and East Counties, shows that General Paul Malong Anei is a head his main challenger, General Dau Aturjong Nyuol.”

We have not yet received any counted votes from Aweil center and other centers but most of the centers we have received so far indicate that chances of incumbent governor being declared the governor are there, Mawien said.

On Saturday 17, Kom Kom Geng, an official nominee of the SPLM contesting parliamentary seat for Juba based regional parliament, in constituency number 3, Abiem East, Aweil East County, and Mel Wal Achien, contesting parliamentary seat for Juba in constituency number 2, Korok, Aweil North County, are said to have taken over these constituencies amid claims and reports of votes robbing by independents.

Kom was contesting the seat with an independent candidate, Dr. Andrew Akoon Akech, while Wel Wal Achien was battling it out with prominent politician of the area, ex-finance and economic planning minister, in the regional government of Southern Sudan, Mr. Kuol Athian Mawien.

Additionally, Mangok Mangok Deng and Garang Mawien Mawien, both official nominees of the SPLM for state legislative assembly are also reported to have taken over constituencies number 6 and 5 from one independent candidate and two from other political parties.

In Aweil South County, an SPLM candidate, Major Jiel Mangok Yel contesting parliamentary seat in the state in constituency number 17 and Dr. Bellario Ahoy Ngong contesting parliamentary seat in the constituency number 6 for Juba based parliament are said to have taken them over from independent candidates.

Similarly, Santino Mayuat Ngong contesting parliamentary seat in the constituency number 21, for the State Legislative Assembly has taken it from two independent Candidates Mr. Angelo Deng Atem and Teresa Awien Mawein Diing.

In most polling centers of various constituencies in the entire state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Yasir Saeed Arman continues to lead over the incumbent president Bashir by large votes.

In Gok Machar, Arman is reported to have received 1280 votes while only 14 votes for Bashir. He also received 1376 votes in Marialbaai constituencies while the Sudanese president received only 06 votes.

For southern Sudan presidency, SPLM candidate, incumbent President Salva Kiir Mayardit, walks majestically ahead of his rival Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin in most of the announced results in the different polling centers and constituencies of northern Bahr el Ghazal.

(ST)