Ecumenical Observers applaud referendum organization

The International Ecumenical Observer Mission including Muslim religious leaders from other parts of Africa come together in joint solidarity with the Sudan Council of Churches, fielded 110 observers in both Southern Sudan and Northern Sudan as well as in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. As we reach the mid-point in the voting period, the Mission would like to share its observations thus far:
Turnout:

• Voter turn out was generally good with significant number of voters turning up in Southern
Sudan as well as in the Diaspora, especially on the first day of polling. As at 12 January 2011, the
Deputy Secretary General of the SPLM Dr. Ann Itto, in a press briefing stated that 2,253,308
people had voted in the referendum. This is an indication of over 60% voter turnout out of the
total registered.
Security:

• Security of the voters and the polling stations was well organised and provided for.
Efficiency of the Process:

• All polling stations observed had signs clearly posted, Staff fully dressed for easy identification and were supplied with adequate polling materials.
• The speed of processing each vote gradually increased over the days.
• The ballot boxes were well secured and numbered in all polling centres visited.
• At closing time, only those in the queue were allowed to vote. Ballot boxes and polling materials were well secured for the following day.
Atmosphere:

– The general atmosphere was calm: Voters were orderly and were highly anticipative.
– The presence of large numbers of international observers, the media and dignitaries has ensured global coverage which has contributed to the level of transparency that the team has observed in the referendum process.

Referendum Observation:

– In the poling centres visited in Khartoum and Juba the team noticed a strong presence of domestic observation teams, including observers from the Sudan Council of Churches and its member churches, who have been deployed in about 228 polling centres across the country. There were also many international observers, especially in Khartoum and Juba.
– No significant anomalies were observed.
– Some voters were not conversant with the voting procedure and did not know what to do with the ballot paper, a phenomenon that appears to indicate inadequate civic and voter education.
– We observed efficiency in the way officials explained the ballot casting procedure to voters. It is hoped that such efficiency will be maintained to the last day of voting.

Composition of the Ecumenical Observer Team

The Observer Mission is made up by the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), Symposium for Episcopal Conference in Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Africa Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL).