Referendum conduct was smooth and fair says GoSS presidential adviser

By Manyang Mayom

January 16, 2011 (RUMBEK) – An advisor to the president of the government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), Muolana Telar Ring Deng, has commended the way the south’s referendum process was conducted, especially in Yirol West county of Lakes state, his hometown, where he cast his vote.

Deng, who advises the southern President on Legal Affairs said he was pleased that the independence referendum was held peacefully, without any reports of violence across polling centers.

“I would like to congratulate the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission Bureau and entire population of Lakes State for the smooth and orderly conduct of the referendum, which enabled an overwhelming population of our people to participate in the historic stage of South Sudan”, said Deng.

He said that while the region waits for results the southern leadership and the south’s ruling party – the SPLM – the leadership should be congratulated.

Deng said that “in this spirit I urge that the current leadership should be permitted to take us through the forthcoming transitional period. Power struggle in an emerging state should be avoided for the progress of such a country. This is not to condone any shortcomings and misgivings we might have committed during the last six and half years. Unity of our people is required this time than any other time”.

Sorting and counting has been underway since Saturday evening across the 214 polling centers across Lakes state various counties; sorting and counting began at 7PM.

The preliminary results will be published at the polling centers at the end of the counting for voters to see while the official and final results of the poll will be announced by the National Referendum Commission by mid February.

(ST)