Two people killed in Jonglei election dispute

June 17, 2012 (BOR) – Two people have been killed, according to police in Jonglei State, following the a disputed election in Pan-Pandiar village in Kolnyang district of Bor County on Sunday.

Fighting broke out among the Adol clan after days of tension following the disputed results of the traditional elections of the village chief.

Atong Ateny, a local police official said that the two people were killed by gunfire before South Sudan’s army (SPLA) from the Pan-pandiar barracks intervened dispersing the two sides into the bush.

Tensions are common in local elections although this appears to be the first election of a chief to result in deaths.

Traditionally, on polling day the candidates sit in a line with his supporters sitting in a row behind. The lines are counted and the man with the most in his line becomes chief of the village.

Elections for chiefs across Jonglei State began earlier this week and are expected to end by the start of July.

Jonglei’s Minister of Local Government, Diing Akol Diing, told Sudan Tribune that about 940 sub-chiefs will be elected from the state’s 11 counties. A head chief will also be elected for each 55 Payams (districts) and 255 executive chiefs for each Boma (subdivision).

(ST)