Central Equatoria residents reject Governor-elect, petition NEC
May 11, 2010 (JUBA) — As the countdown to the long-awaited swearing-in ceremony for elected candidates in the just concluded general elections continues, not all may be well for some.
In a strongly-worded petition addressed to NEC Chairman, Justice Abel Alier, which was also copied to US President Barrack Obama, the United Nations and African Union Secretary Generals, EU President and the Carter Center, the petitioners called for their immediate intervention to the situation.
“We strongly condemn, denounce and reject your [NEC] decision to unilaterally impose Clement Wani Konga as Governor of Central Equatoria State after the overwhelming election of Lieutenant General Alfred Ladu Gore,” the petition partly reads.
Initially, preliminary results for the gubernatorial elections in CES reportedly showed Lt. Gen. Alfred Ladu Gore in a commanding lead in the polls, with the exception of results from Terekeka County, the incumbent’s home area.
According to the petitioners, NEC’s decision to declare Maj. Gen. (rtd) Wani the winner not only undermined the integrity of the electoral body, but further jeopardizes the peaceful implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)
The petitioners also accused some Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) authorities of having allegedly interfered with the independence of the electoral body. These, they said, contributed to alteration and changing of elections results in favor of pro-government candidates.
Earlier reports from the Sudanese Group for Democracy (SUGDE) and Sudanese Network for Democratic Elections (SUNDE), both local observer groups, indicated that the “electoral process did not meet the citizen’s expectations and failed to fully embrace democratic principles at the polling stations observed.”
The unwanted deployment of soldiers at polling stations, intimidation of voters, baring of observers from vote counting processes, arbitrary arrests and alleged obstruction by state authorities were some of the key issues uncovered by local observer groups in their election report.
“The manner by which the elections were conducted in Central Equatoria State did not meet the fundamental requirements of a democratic process because it was marred with the random detention of party agents, independent observers, voters and intimidation by the authorities,” the petition, signed by nearly 30 members further reads.
Meanwhile, a highly placed source told this reporter that a peaceful demonstration could take center-stage in Juba, the South Sudan capital should the petitioners fail to get response from NEC.
However, when asked about the status of the petition and whether the electoral body was aware of the planned peaceful demonstration in the offing, an official from NEC’s Southern Sudan High Committee told Sudan Tribune yesterday that the matter was being handled by “higher authorities”.
(ST)
thomas
Central Equatoria residents reject Governor-elect, petition NEC
I agree with CES residents’ petition. I have unfortunately heard tales from relatives in CES that Lt. Gen. Alfred Ladu Gore was the people’s choice but that Clement Wani stole it. This is very sad. I personally don’t know much about Wani or Gore so I can’t personally pass judgment on either. What is unacceptable however is harassment, intimidation, vote-rigging. I love SPLM, I love SPLA, why are we behaving like this? There are so many honorable cadres in the movement, this stain on their character can’t continue any longer.
Without the love and support of the people, what good is all the power in the world for? Wani I am asking you: Can you force someone to love you?
julius mowanga
Central Equatoria residents reject Governor-elect, petition NEC
Central Equatorian People are living a miserable life under the Government of GOSS and the CE State Government.They are underserved and denied a say of their own affairs since the uveption of the CPA or exactly;after the influx of SPLA Soldiers in Juba,they have been sujected to a systematic humilation and total negligence by GOSS,with the help of Clement Wani who duisgusted his own people to apease his party’s officials.
Celemnt Wani,has turned a blind eye on the rising land gripping, Jebel Kojor Area as example,the daily sexual harrasments of the ladies by SPLA non-Equatorian soldiers,the oppression of the people of Terkeka and Magwi,etc…never makes him a desired candidate to the people of Central Equatoria.He is a corrupt as the rest of SPLM Gubernators who clincks to the power till death.
Shame on you SPLM/A ….and so sorry for our fallen heros’ sacrifices……….
babadit
Central Equatoria residents reject Governor-elect, petition NEC
Dear South Sudaese !
where are we heading to with such Election results being fabricated in favour of some leaders like Clement Wani who has never been the chioce of the people.
Salva Kiir Fear that Wani Konga with his Millitias will oust him out of power,
secondly, he (salva) married the daugter of this Mundari Man,, so it is shamefull for an inlaw to lose an Election that is what they think .
Shame on the government for deploying Army men at those polling Stations during election and counting Processes.
I belief the court and the world will listen to the cry of the citizens of centeral equatoia