CES:General Gore decries elections rigging in the counting

April 19, 2010 (JUBA) — General Alfred Ladu Gore, an independent candidate in Central Equatoria, contesting against SPLM official nominee, General Clement Wani Konga, has today urged against elections rigging in the counting.

Vote counting process has ended today in Central Equatoria State with participation of agents representing all political parties but Gore denied his representation. My agents have been having difficulties in access to most of the polling stations during voting process till we entered votes counting, Gore told Sudan Tribune today.

Asked skeptical about possible rigging in the votes counting, he said events and activities show that rigging is taking place across the state at the watch of National Elections Commission (NEC).

The High Elections Committee in Central Equatoria State has been disarmed from her responsibilities and made redundant, he alleged.

“Everything is done at their watch and do nothing even if complains are raised,” he said.

“Chances of rigging are high and it is real,” he stressed calling upon international communities to help by keeping open eyes in monitoring the vote counting operations as it might have dire consequences.

Gore claimed to have led his rival in the beginning of the poll though there were concerns of delays and confusions. “I was doing very well as events in all the polling centers could tell anyone in central Equatoria State.”

Rigging started to occur in the additional two days as a result of delays and cited harassment of election observers and party agents at polling stations in the present of national elections commission.

“What is the role of the NEC if observers and agents representing political contenders are expelled at will, he asked adding his own observations show that the members of the National Election Commission did not performance their duties as per 2008 national election act. It has not showed leadership in executing its functions as a body in charge of organizing the elections, Gore said.

“We, the patriotic group advocating for fundamental change, deeply appreciate the mandate the voters have given us. Victory is certain, we are just waiting for the announcement of the overall results by NEC and we hope for fairness without any tricks, he said.

He said the elections have brought forward the real issues and a clear manifestation of the leaders South Sudanese want.

“That explains why some people garner many votes and it would be undemocratic if the voices and will of the people are not respected,” he said.

Gore pledged to push ahead in his pursuit for change despite intimidation at the vote counting process.

“We want the media to be aware of this because the vote rigging reports are real. Our concern is about the danger of rigging the elections in favor of the incumbents. The question is why this would happen while the elections are not a matter of preference but rather a constitutional right,” he wondered.

The final presidential and gubernatorial results are expected to be announced by the end of this week.

Southern Sudanese opposition parties complain that gubernatorial and states legislative elections due have been marred by intimidations and fraud. Many observers cite the illiteracy of voters and tribal affiliations in the semi autonomous region to explain the widespread irregularities in the Sudanese elections.