SSRC Request for Delay of Referendum Polling Date
- Details
- Created on Sunday, 07 November 2010 12:35
- Written by Dr. James Okuk
I have been following this matter with keenness and now finally the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission has requested officially the Presidency approval in Khartoum to delay the polling date of the referendum from 9th January to another date ahead before July 2011.
The main reason they cited are: 1) there is too much to be done and the time remaining in the referendum countdown is very short; 2) the budget for facilitating the work of the referendum has not fully been allocated and this has made the commission helpless to do much that is required from them within the given short time.
Obviously, this request comes after our GoSS President, H.E. Salva Kiir, gave the commission Chairman a green light during their meeting in Khartoum ten days ago that his concerns would be looked into positively when the commission submits a written request to the Presidency. H.E. Kiir was also reported in the media saying that the GoSS has no money to offer as the required budget to the Referendum Commission and it is up to Southerners to tax their salaries and gives it as a contribution to the commission so that it could achieve its work in time, otherwise.
Also from my own reading, what the written requests stated implicitly is that the commission members are not working as a team because of politics of "unity-separation" affiliations that has affected them too much to the extent that some of them spent sleepless nights in nightmares of what will happen to the current united Sudan and what will be the situation of the separated South Sudan. Thus, the commission spokesman has resigned, the SG may resign and others who are affiliated to the NCP may follow suit too as they fail to force the Chairman, Prof. Khalil, to resign after making his work within the commission very difficult through oppositions and sabotages. And since our very own people from Southern Sudan have been given only subordinate positions within the commission, they are already finding themselves helpless to help the situation as their northern colleagues continue to fight each others as an attempt to collapse the Commission, and automatically delay the conduct of the Referendum.
What is it that can be done to avoid the Referendum commission collapse as the polling date nears and as the CPA interim period counts down very fast?
1) Accept the postponement of the polling date as requested by the SSRC but only up to 9th April 2011 to avoid any mess in the rush hour, but while continuing with other referendum process like voter registration, campaigns, publication of voters name, correction of the miswritten voters name and inclusion of the missing ones, preparation of the voting centers and making them known and with ballot boxes and papers availed in time with protection from UN forces, and training of SSRC officials for results management and credibility.
2) Amend the Southern Sudan Referendum Act (2009) to avoid any legal loopholes and critical objections on the referendum conduct and results.
3) Not to attempt conducting a unilateral referendum for Southern Sudan in Juba.
There is already good news that USA International Development (USAID) and the United Nations officially handed over voter registration materials to the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) in Juba on Friday, October 29, and in Khartoum on Saturday, October 30. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the USAID in collaboration with the UN funded the design, procurement, and delivery of the registration books and cards that will be used to register voters for the referendum. They are also providing technical assistance for administering the referendum; promoting and enabling civic participation (through civic and voter education, media assistance, and domestic observation support); and international observation. In addition, they are supporting the provision of office space and equipment for the SSRC, and assistance with the training of voter registration workers. These are positive steps that should never be spoiled by the possible collapse of the Referendum commission if serious measures are not taken now than later.
Viva South Sudan as struggle of the independence continues!!!
Dr James Okuk is reachable at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Newer news items:
Older news items:
- All Southern Sudanese must come from Khartoum now. - 05/11/2010
- What if Referendum Commission Leadership Resign? - 03/11/2010
- Referenda: Trap of Freedom, Law and Time - 31/10/2010
- NCP has taken Abyei hostage”, H.E. Amum - 27/10/2010
- Press Release : South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, Will Not Listen to Supporters of Disunity - 24/10/2010
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08-11-2010 06:37:54 |Unregistered| Lado Kenyi
I do not know where this man so called Dr. James Solomon Padiet getting his information. I have been trying to check from the most reliable sources outlet media and non- of them had not mentioned such information Dr. James wants us to believe. All the southerners out there know Dr. James Padiet that he is NIF/ NCP’s agency who have been preaching for postponement of the Referendum all along but he is only playing his own mind. This prophet of doomed and sometime he has been spiteful to those who opposed him on the issues must be told that he can work day and night but he never achieve his master goal because the South Sudanese have already determined their destiny and they will never accept the postponement of the Referendum. You got it !!
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08-11-2010 11:21:28 |Unregistered| Yohannes Kong Tut
Dear Dr. James Okuk,
I think there is a problem with anything to do with delaying the referendum. I want to say that it is an act of treasony to delay the referendum. The world is watching and Southerners are working hard to conduct the referendum in January 9,2011. It was written six years ago and it should take place as written. If NCP tries to push it, it will be another trigger of a UDI. Ther is no any justification in requesting more time to be given. Bashir will suffer its consequencies. You should know that Musaveni is ready for war to aveng what Bashir did to him through Joseph Kony, Debby Idris is not a friend of Bashir as you know that he is originally a fur from Alfasher. Mubarack of Egypt is not happy for an assassination attempt that was carried against him by Bashir in Ethiopia in the past, Gadaffi and Bashir are not a good march either while Eritrea and Ethiopia plus Kenya are not in good terms with Bashir either. You should also know that Central Africa is a friend of Chad while Zaire is recovering from the diamond war it went through for the last 78 years. Are you understanding that? Any attempt of relapse back to war by Khartoum it trigger an organized capture of Bashir by ICC (2000 Helicopters, Jets, Gunships will all be sent and it will only take 15 minutes for Bashir to be captured). You should know that Bashir is being followed by camera all the time brother. Thank you!
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09-11-2010 11:07:38 |Unregistered| Dr James Okuk
My Friend Yohannes Kong Tut,Peaceful solutions is the best policy even if the NCP attempts to sabotage the indepenendence of South Sudan. Remember that former Sudan President Ja’far mohamed Numeiry tried this blockage and he was gone while the desire of South Sudan independence remained. The same fate might haunt NCP. Therefore, whether we go to war again with NCP or stay in peace with them our independence is any way ineveitable. Why not choose peace then, even if it is accompanied by peaceful quarrels over many pending issues rather than the bloody war when we know that the end to any of these means (war or peace) shall be the same; inevitable independence.
It is only a matter of wisdom and right strategy before we are there finally. Delay of the polling date for just three months (up to April 9th 2011) is not a vice because the Refererendum Act (2009) reguires so if we are really law abiding people. I did not say we delay the whole referendum. Many step of the referendum process have already been taken and they are positive, so far and so good. Why spoil all these good news because of the fixed date of 9th January 2011. It is said flexibility is a virtue.
Stay well,
Dr James Okuk
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09-11-2010 12:08:42 |Unregistered| Simon Majok
James Okuk,
I don't really understand motives behind your proposal/arguments as you are always at odds with aspirations of nearly all South Sudanese. None of the loyalist to our people of South Sudan would ever think of delaying the referendum by even a minute. May be you are one of individuals hired to sabotage the Southern quest for freedom from NCP/ARAB oppression. Good-luck
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09-11-2010 17:26:21 |Unregistered| William Okuch
Yes, we all, Southerners are ready to go out for vote on 09 January 2011. That is people, but what about preparation of michanism or technical process which are necessary tools to ensure the success of vote in favor of separation.
In any undertaking issue, preparation comes first before execution. For example,female and male birds do prepare their nest before laying egg.Likewise, farmer clears his/her garaden before cultivation of crop etc.
My brothers and sisters, we should always remember the source of our weakness in dealing with enemy. Our weakness comes from lack of administrative skill or insane political motivation. We have seen that during national census. Our president Salva Kiir and chair of office of national census blessed the result of population they themselves have counted, but eventually they refused the result and put blame on Northerners.
Always I reemble the enemy with heyna and sheep. Heyna can kill all sheep if it get a chance. The same to enemy who could do anything possible to destroy its enemy. So we should have not blame the Norhterners, but to make sure Northerners will not have a chance to get into our affairs.
We all know that south Sudan was almost falling apart from 2005 to this movment. Why? Tribalism, napotism, corruption, maladministration and rejecting other political parties to take part in policy-making and decision and forcing other tribes to immigrate to North Sudan and discouraging the millions of displaced Southerners to remain in North whom could be used by Northerners to put their legs in our affairs or number to confues result of vote.
Thank God that GOSS has redeemed itself from these impurities through the recent conference of southern political parties in Juba. That is a blessing our God could do for his children. Yes, God says, "any house divided against itslef will not stand." Since we are now in unity, let work, conceptualize or brainstorm together to defeat the enemy in vote.We would be wise enough if we delay the vote for couple of month to prepare ourselves. If we delay it, we would be able to repatriate millions of southerners from north. We see the grief of Koreans living in North and South Korea. We do not want this to happen to millions of Southerners in North.
Also we will be able to prepare michanism and technical process necessary for the success of vote. We will too be able to solve the issue of border which could be a reason for war in which hundred lives could be lsot.Thus, our vote will be ensured and northern Sudanese will have no any political card to play or use as reason for war or to rig the vote.
Always, preparation is a tool for succss.
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10-11-2010 09:32:56 |Unregistered| Paul Apok
Dear South Sudanese
"When an adult is in the house the she-goat is not left to suffer the pain of parturition on its tether."
And
"Our father did not fight a war of blame, instead of that they wants to teach our emissary how to carry fire and water in the same mouth."9th Of Jan. 2011 is at the door, let's us think collectively how we can go about with that it is like rainy sesson with a lazy farmers who says rain has come ealy this time I think delaying the referendum is not on the good for South Sudanese
Paul
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Yes, Dr, Okuk given the current situation it seems at the end of the day the outcome will be limited postponement of the Referendum, otherwise I guess there will be deliberate mass resignations of the SSRC which will complicate things to the worst