Even the President has to wait his turn : Radio report 1

Throughout the last two days, I have gone between different polling stations across Juba, handing out the Sudan Votes Music Hopes cassette (click here if you haven't heard it already) and feeling the mood.

President Kiir with his inked finger

Voters turned up in promising numbers from the first day and they appear prepared for the monumental democratic elections. Several polling stations were located in each different district of Juba with the state high commission announcing the areas of polling only on Saturday night on the eve of the elections. In total, Central Equatoria state has 819 polling stations.

Although many have never voted before, as you can see from my pictures on part 2 of this radio report  the voters appeared confident and calm while they lined up waiting patiently for their turn to cast their votes.  The main frustration as I mention, is the electoral lists distributed by the NEC, not matching the election polling stations, so the people are spending many hours searching for their place to vote.

In most polling stations, the National Elections Commission NEC has given priority to persons with disabilities and pregnant women. Voters who require assistance will be allowed to come to the polling station with a person they trust to assist them in making the ballot papers. They may also request the NEC polling staff to assist them. The process is slow but with the long queues, this is a very positive sign about the enthusiasm for the democratic process.