Jonglei registration ends, amidst transport challenges

December 9, 2010 (BOR) – Voter registration for the south’s self determination referendum has been completed in Jonglei state despite the challenges of floods and inaccessible roads at the start of the process in mid November.

John Boloc, the Jonglei state high committee officer for public outreach in referendum told Sudan Tribune on Thursday the total number of registered voters will be known by December 13.

“It was a success,” he added when pressed to rate the exercise marred by delays in some remote areas as registration centers waited to receive materials.

The right of the south to self-determination was accorded the region in a 2005 peace accord signed by Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and former rebels the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) following two decades civil war that begin with a rebellion in Bor on 16th May 1983.

A state without road network, Jonglei referendum registration materials were often airlifted to county headquarters by helicopter by the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

There are 313 voter registration centers in Jonglei state, 10 of which are in the state capital Bor.

Registration started late in Vertet in Pibor county due to late delivery of kits containing some papers for the exercise. The voter registration was interrupted in Akobo county due clashes between soldiers and civilians two weeks into the process but later resume after four days when security was restored.

At registration centers accessible by roads or air, domestic and international observers were present as well as police providing security.

Although the exact figure of eligible voters registered is yet to be computed, the state high committee says the total is approaching 400,000. Data for the region estimates that there were 600,000 southern Sudanese of voting age (18+) in the state.

With exactly less than a month until voting is due to begin on 9 January, 2011 young people from the state have already begun campaigning for separation. Pro-separation supporters have begun waving one hand in the, symbol of separation on the ballot papers, to indicate how they intend to vote, apparently waving goodbye to the north.

Most experts and diplomats believe that the south will vote to secede from the north in the referendum and form a new nation.

(ST)