We Want to Be There, But How?

Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

 

 

 

"I don't want a woman to miss out of voter registration because she has just given birth or because she is weak to walk to the registration center," community leader Mr. Adwok Kur Yorleke said. I spotted him seated on a blue plastic chair under a tree right where registration was taking place in Malakal town.

Imtidad Assosa Registration Center number 56 of Upper Nile State Geographical Constituency number 39 was a hub of activity that afternoon as women, men, youth of voting age and old people find their way to register their names and obtain their registration cards. Voter registration is one of the most important processes towards participation in any election. It is, therefore a crucial activity to the up-coming General Elections, scheduled for April 2010.

I found myself at the Registration Center when I went to look for my sister Buwar and to ask her to accompany me, after working hours, to the house of my late Uncle Stephen Cirbowny. He passed away in August while I was away, so I was going to pay my condolences to the family. Upon my arrival in the town I headed to the center where she was. I wondered why she was not picking her mobile when I called her. When I reached the center she did not show any excitement as usual. No wonder, why she did not come to the airport to pick me up as it usually happens. She was very busy with the registration process.

My sister, in a fatigued voice, told me, "I am too busy. Today, we have so many people to register." Little did I know that she was the team leader at the Registration Center, placed at the War Child Center in Assosa, Southern Sector of Malakal town? Oh! She was the boss. Yes, I confirmed as I saw her flanged by her dedicated and committed team who were, like bees, busy talking to people, checking their IDs, writing on the books and giving others their cards. Sweat could be seen rolling down their foreheads and behind their ears in their attempts to clear the lines of men and women who were streaming in, every now and then.

"On Friday the 12^th, the center recorded 661 - higher by 153 compared to the previous day Thursday 11^th when we registered 518," Buwar said. "The presence of the community leader here has helped us a lot" she added. She was excited about the rise in the figures and voters interest in the registration, which to them is a guarantee that they will cast their votes when time comes. Yes, women have the right given in the constitution to participate at all levels. She is a woman leading a strong team. Bravo!

I ask: Could it be the case in every center? Are all the teams busy like Imtidad Assosa? No, I am told registration in many centers has not been good at all. People in Malakal town, like in many other areas in Southern Sudan, have lived in fear because of concerns of insecurity in their areas. Other potential voters are going about their businesses as if there was no registration taking place. Some see no much difference whether they registered or not. This, of course calls for a serious concern and deserves full attention.

Madam Buwar said that the one day public holiday which was announced, was a good chance for the public to get more information on the importance of registration, being a process which should pave the way for democratic transformation in the country. The registration team also felt energized by the support of their community leader Mr. Yorleke, who was seated there to identify the residents of the area and as well encourage them to go for registration.

The role of community leader Yorleke was a blessing to everyone, but in my observation, women were the real beneficiaries. Even those who were carrying their baskets, heading to the market got the message from the community leader and turned to the center for registration.  I saw the women in twos and threes, clad in their beautiful and colourful laos- Shilluk traditional dress - arriving at the center to register. It is their right to participate.

My curiosity led me to ask two ladies, who appeared very young, whether they are really eligible to vote. In an affirmative voice, one of them told me that she was 22 years old and that she wants to register in order not to lose her chance of voting when elections come. The other lady said her vote counts and she wants to partake in electing the leader of her choice. On that particular day the percentage of women who reported to the center and registered was higher compared to men. This was optimistic but not a guarantee that they will remain the majority. To guarantee their full participation, women need more enlightenment and awareness on the electoral process.

As Community leader Mr. Yorleke sits there encouraging those who seem to be reluctant to join the queue. He told me, "Men have the energy to come to the center, but my challenge is how to get transport for those women who are willing to register, but are unable to come. I am determined to find a solution for them." This was a commendable concern, but the question is: who would mobilize women for registration if the dynamism seen in the community leader and the registration team is not happening in other centers? Such an important exercise like the elections should not be left to individuals; it must be a collective responsibility with the electoral body leading the way. Unless there is a big turn out, such an exercise will be meaningless.

I did not have time to visit other centers in Malakal; however the voices of the public and the man on the streets express concern over failure of registration in the areas that have experienced insecurity, such as Nagdiar and the Canal. There is need for a speedy end to such disturbances which cause loss of lives as well as hindrances to registration for a very important democratic exercise - the elections.

After registering her name, a lady who was in black with sadness painted on her face, informed the women around there about the final funeral rights for her male relative who was killed during the recent skirmishes in the canal area. Out of fear and displacement, neither men, nor women will be able to register in order for them to exercise their democratic right of voting when time comes.

Come elections, women want to exercise and benefit from the 25% affirmative action enshrined in the Interim constitution. However, this can not be realized without great mobilization, civic and voter education. Information should reach voters for them to understand the importance of registration as an important stage in the electoral processes. Oral or written translated material, with visual aid, is needed for better understanding of messages. All this can not thrive without peace, security and stability, which we should work hard to promote.

END