SPLM candidate in East Equatoria State dominates preliminary results

April 21, 2010 (JUBA) — Louis Lobong Lojore, an SPLM candidate for Eastern Equatoria State gubernatorial post, dominates preliminary polls result against, ex-governor Alesio Ojetuk who contests independently following his failure to secure endorsement of his candidature by political bureau of the ruling party early January.

Locals say both Ojetuk and Lobong are known rivals for the same post starting since their struggle for the party chairmanship at the state level in 2008, at the SPLM Boma congress elections leading to the conduct of second national convention held at Nyakuron culture center, Juba, in May 2008.

Ojetuk who briefly held the seat during transitional period, from 2005 to 2008 as governor on SPLM ticket, lost the chairmanship seat of the party to Lobong amid tribal accusations and counter accusations that elections were manipulated based on tribal hatred.

Lobong in January 2010, secured SPLM Electoral College initial nomination on behave of the southern ruling party, a nomination that saw immediate approval of the political bureau to run for gubernatorial post in East Equatoria as official nominee of the SPLM.

The approval of Lobong’s candidature was received with bitterness by Ojetuk supporters who hence encouraged him to contest elections independently with or without the SPLM support.

Okot Johnson Charles, an intellectual from the area who participated as poll officer, in Torit town, capital of Eastern Equatoria State, said ex-governor Brigadier General Ojetuk who contests independently leads SPLM official nominee, Louise Lobong in polling stations predominately Latuka areas including Torit town but little in other areas including SPLA barracks.

He said all SPLA barracks and other organized forces like police in the whole of Eastern have voted in favor of SPLM candidate making it possible for many people to speculate declaration of Lobong as next possible governor since he leads his rival in most populated areas outside Torit

Describing how elections were conducted in the state, he said it was peaceful as caretaker Governor, Brigadier General Johnson Okot did not compromise with incidents related to insecurity in the area before, during and after the polls. “This terrified criminals allowing elections to be conducted in peaceful environment. No cattle theft clashes occurred during the voting process to interrupt the poll,” he said.

Security situation was normal but it was stiff political competition. There were only two strong camps though there were candidates from the other political parties contesting the same gubernatorial post, he said. These were between supporters of Ojetuk and Lobong, he said adding that one could find people in groups expecting potential voters in their favors, either as a supporter of Ojetuk leading independent groups or Louise Lobong who has won SPLM nomination.

The official who spoke to Sudan Tribune by phone, from the eastern Equatoria State capital of Torit, said at one polling station in Magwi County, Lobong received 7709 and Ojetuk managed to obtain 458. In Kapoeta South County, home town to SPLM gubernatorial candidate, Lobong, got 3931 and Ojetuk received zero votes. However, in Torit town, capital of the state, Ojetuk being one of his strongholds received more than Lobong. Ojetuk received 1269 while Lobong got only 667 votes.

Analysts and observers agree that people voted based on tribal linkage regardless of the records and credentials of the competing candidates.

The preliminary poll results also show that SPLM’s Arman who has already withdrawn from the race is ahead of the National Congress Party candidate, incumbent president Omer Bashir. In the three counties of Magwi, Torit, Kapoeta South, Arman was ever leading. In Kepoeta South, he (Arman) got 1474 and zero votes for Bashir.

In Torit town, Arman got 1307 and Bashir received 302. In Magwi, Arman got 7808 and Bashir again received zero votes. Equally, SPLM candidate for southern Sudan presidency, Salva Kiir led his main rival Lam Akol in all the stations. Akol got zero votes in both Magwi and Kapoeta counties but Kiir received 4881 in Kapoeta and 7857 in Magwi. Dr. Akol however got some votes in Torit town. He has 140 votes but yet Kiir received 1307more votes.

(ST)