South Sudan approves eight members of National Election Commission

August 29, 2012 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly has endorsed eight members of the National Election Commission (NEC) on Tuesday but dropped one proposed member for being under the required age limit.

The approval of the candidates put forward by South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir comes after an earlier parliamentary sitting refused to endorse the members as they did not regionally represent South Sudan.

Some members of parliament, civil society and a Nuer youth group rejected Kiir’s appointments claiming they lacked of consultation and regional representation.

On Tuesday, the national assembly unanimously endorsed the chairperson, deputy and six other members but asked the President to select another person to replace Julia Akur whose age is said to be less than the required 35 years. Female lawmakers argued that the assembly should approve Akur as very few women could match her qualification but Speaker James Wani Igga refused.

“We have to respect the law regardless of being a man or woman,” said Speaker Wani. Less the 30% of South Sudanese can read and write and the statistics are even worse for women and girls making.

South Sudan succeeded from Sudan in 2011 and entered a transitional period that expires in 2015 when first elections will be held.

The eight members who were approved by the National Legislative Assembly were:

1. Engineer. Abednego Akok Kacuol | Chairperson
2. Ms. Jersa Kide Barsaba | Deputy
3. Mr. Mac Maica Deng | Chief Electoral Officer
4. Mr. Anthony Mogga | Member
5. Mr. Paul Marial Dot | Member
6. Mr. Lawrence Sulubia Amin | Member
7. Mr. John Dak Puok | Member
8. Mr. Lawrence Deng Aluat | Member

(ST)