High turnout in Juba center as officials run out of registration materials
By Julius N. Uma
November 19, 2010 (JUBA) – Hundreds of eligible voters who had turned up for registration at a Juba referendum registration center located at Dr. John Garang de Mabior mausoleum had to queue for hours, after registration materials ran out.
Each registration center, Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau (SSRB), has voting material meant to cater for only 2,000 eligible voters. Overall, South Sudan has over 2,630 registration centers, while the north has 165.
When Sudan Tribune visited the mausoleum on Friday morning, many potential voters said they were frustrated and disappointed with the delays to the registration process.
Achier Deng, the SSRB Commissioner for operations confirmed to Sudan Tribune that the said registration center had run out of materials, but added that a team had been dispatched to the warehouse to secure more materials so that the process could resume.
He also told a press conference later that the bureau was impressed with the high levels of voter turnout recorded in the first five days at registration centers in centers Juba the regions capital.
On the planned accreditation of both local and international observers, Achier said the bureau had already established a committee to begin the process, urging all stakeholders, including political parties to apply for accreditation.
According to the SSRB official, all countries earmarked for Diaspora registration have began full operations, with the exception of centers located in Egypt. Earlier reports had indicated that registration in Uganda had been suspended or boycotted, but the bureau has denied such claims.
The SSRB Commissioner for operations has appealed to men not to deter their women from participating in the ongoing voters’ registration, following reports of alleged low turnout recorded among the women in most states of South Sudan including Lakes state.
The referendum due to take place in January gives the south the chance to separate from the north as part of a 2005 peace deal. Registration, according to the time-table released by the bureau, officially ends on December 1.
(ST)
Shadrack Nuer Machut
High turnout in Juba center as officials run out of registration materials
First of all, bravo Southern Sudanese for a rapid turn up for registration especially in south capital Juba.
On the other hand, I don’t agree that men in Lakes State are against their wives for registrstion. It is an allegation with no source. I am in Lakes but nothing of that news has ever been heart.