Long queues and huge turnout at start of voter registration in Sudan
By Julius N. Uma
November 15, 2010 (JUBA) – Hundreds of people on Monday thronged at the various registration centers in Juba to officially register, marking the official commencement of the much delayed voter registration process for the region’s independence referendum in January.
Most registration centers in Juba, the Southern Sudan capital opened as early as 7:15 am, with officials, clad in their yellow-colored attires set to begin their work. Some centers had voters queuing up as early as 7:00pm local time.
There are 2,635 registration centers spread across the 10 states of the semi-autonomous region; while the north the country has 165 centers, according to the Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau (SSRB).
For someone to be registered at a particular center, he or she must be a southern Sudanese national of 18 years and above but should be in possession of a written certificate or document issued by a Sudanese authority, which proves identity.
However, for refugees to be registered as per regulations set by Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC), they must be in possession of a written certificate or document issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) proving identity.
PRESIDENT SALVA KIIR REGISTERS
Leading by example, Southern Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, visited a center located at Dr. John Garang de Mabior mausoleum and officially registered at about 9:15am local time, amidst cheers and jubilations from over a hundred people present to witness the event.
“Now this referendum will happen in reality. For me, I wanted to first see the President registering before I can think of also visiting my center in Hai Malakal. Separation oyee,” a motorcycle rider, who only identified himself as Musa told Sudan Tribune.
Juma Peter, a student of Juba University said he remains optimistic that the referendum will go on as planned in a free and fair manner without any form of violence, urging those who have not yet registered to do so before the deadline.
Voter’s registration, according to the timetable released by SSRC, officially ends on December 1.
An official based at Munuki West registration center told Sudan Tribune by phone that, Monday’s process, which initially started on a low note eventually picked up by afternoon and that by evening, hundreds had been registered.
In Khartoum, registration centers were empty as many southerners who live in the Sudanese capital made the trip south to enroll or abstained from registering altogether for fear of intimidation by the ruling party in the North.
SSRC also established out-of-country registration and voting centers in eight countries with the largest numbers of Southern Sudanese living outside Sudan. These countries are; Australia, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA).
The process is being coordinated by Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRC) with assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
But yesterday the SSRC chief Mohamed Ibrahim Khalil announced that registration would be delayed a few days in Egypt because of a communication breakdown with the government. It would also be delayed in the United States and Australia because southerners there had asked for more registration centers.
(ST)
Gatwech
Long queues and huge turnout at start of voter registration in Sudan
Dear readers,
Blessed is self-determination for the people of South Sudan!
We started the liberation struggle since August 18, 1955 in what is now the modern Sudan.
Our great grandfathers led it since 1800s and charted the way for us. The end of the road is near and we should all vote for independence (secession).
“With ballot or bullet, South Sudan shall be free!”
South Sudan oyeee!
Ahmed Chol
Long queues and huge turnout at start of voter registration in Sudan
There are reports that there might be irregularities in registration centers in abroad(diaspora) due to significant employees who are Egyptians.
MADIT MAJAK CHOL
Long queues and huge turnout at start of voter registration in Sudan
My Dear southerners,
This is the moment we all been waiting for. In january 9, 2011 we all will make the historical in Sudan history. we need to go out there register and vote.
Young Nation
Long queues and huge turnout at start of voter registration in Sudan
Dear Diaspora!
My humble message to fellow Southern Sudanese residing in diaspora is do not register as this will pollute the entire result. I also urge my follow Southerners who live in Northern Sudan to abandon all the entire more than160 voting centers established in Northern Sudan. Do this not for your sake but for the sake of Southern Sudan.
It is not bad to register and vote for the liberation of our dear Southern Sudan. The fishy thing we fear a lot is that your precious votes might be rigged by the enemies of South Sudan. This is why concern Southerners are voicing opposition to South Sudanese votes in diaspora and outisde South Sudan territory. Follow this guidelind and all will be right. God Bless South Sudan votes for referendum.
Young Nation is a Student of International Relations at The University Of Queensland, Australia.
$iong mayom
Long queues and huge turnout at start of voter registration in Sudan
Great news for South Sudanese bad news for jalaba.
AUGUSTINO DENG
Long queues and huge turnout at start of voter registration in Sudan
My advise goes to those who are working together with Salva Kiir Miyardit. Please, don’t allow Salva Kiir Miyardit to cast his vote again to Omar Beshir.
Thanks
By Augustino Deng. Jech la mer from Tharpam.
Kur William
Long queues and huge turnout at start of voter registration in Sudan
Dear fellows citizens of Southern Sudan the evitable of South independence is at hand however Iam wondering what a preparation you have done thus far as matter of facts” we want to view very exceptional event ever happen in South Sudan since and then.
For my personal emotion I would like to inform all the youth from corner of great mountain of Nubia to great mountain of ladu to prepares their drums,Cultural dancing and modern dancing as well to mark this immeasurable achievement we have got here on 9th january 2011. Kur William
Critic_Ngueny
Long queues and huge turnout at start of voter registration in Sudan
Dear Kiir Mayardit,
I am very happy to see you registering your name and I will be too happy to see you crossing the river with our people who have suffered for millions of years.
Arabs will suffer during and after my Government
Southern Sudan oyee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SPLA/M oyee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Critic Ngueny from Bor town
NB.I am requesting my dear readers to send for me email address for miraya fm in Juaba through my mail address>[email protected]
Marial Mangar Akol
Long queues and huge turnout at start of voter registration in Sudan
Maburuk Aleek Salva Kiir for registering!
Every body will be register and vote for Southern Sudan independent,
Individual rights are not subject to a public vote, a majority of Southern Sudan has right to vote away the untrue of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual).”“The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.”“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”
Now my congratulation goes Salva Kiir for showing us his commitment to South Sudan independent.
Separation Oyee!
Kiir oyee!
John M. Atem
Long queues and huge turnout at start of voter registration in Sudan
Dear Readers,
I want to convey my warmest and sincerest appreciations and thanks to all peace-loving, liberty-seeking and splendid people of Southern Sudan for their high turn out at the various registration centres across our magnificently great region and would-be a newly-formed freest Christian nation-state of Southern Sudan in the Upcoming Self-determination Referendum.
I thank you and I thank you for all you are doing in the Southern Sudan. Please keep those commendable and praiseworthy spirits up! We are almost there to our glorious Canaan.
Indeed, our people have suffered and suffered for a great long period of time and the time for them to be free is now and not later.
Folks, at this critical and defining moment in our country’s history we must stop sending wrong messages out that might clounded people’s minds. We must stand guard against the enemies of Southern Sudan.
Finally, May God creator of heaven and Earth bless the long-suffering, abused and long-forgotten people of Southern Sudan and guided them into glorious final destination in the Upcoming Self-determination Referendum.
The writer of this comment is John Atem. He is a orphaned son of late freedom fighter who works and reside in U.S.A. He has successfully completed Certificates in Agriculture, Peace Education and Diploma in Criminal Justice.