Warap State Governor: Referendum facing many problems

Will the Southern Sudan Referendum take place as scheduled? H. E. Nyandeng Malek, Governor in Warap State, said while in Juba last week, that her people are prepared to register and vote. Different advocates and civil society organisations are campaigning for a massive turn up of the eligible voters on the 9th of January 2011, the day of the Southern Sudan Referendum.

During the interview with sudanvotes.com, the Governor was however quick to express that the limited time and poor infrastructure appear to be worrying elements. The distribution of voting and registration materials and the provision of comprehensive civic education is a challenge within this short time and in view of the vast area of Warap State. “The problems which we are facing are the vastness and the poor infrastructure in the state”, said H. E. Nyandeng Malek.

As preparations continue by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission and Bureau, challenges appear pressing, not only in Warap State. With about two months remaining until the referendum, the demarcation of registration and voting centers has not yet been finalized. Training of polling staff is still ongoing in Juba but has not yet reached state and county levels. With the registration due to kick off from 14th November 2010, required materials have not yet reached the county committees or the states committees.

Pressing challenges around the registration process - less than two months before the referendum - include: demarcation of registration and voting centers, training of polling staff, and distribution of registration materials.

Furthermore, several other referendum-related activities are a concern. Besides the above challenges, the budget delivery to all the state and county committees remains a question. Other processes still in question are, for example, the display of registered voters, objections to registration results, courts’ decisions, and final drafting of voters’ lists. All these issues have to be addressed within the two remaining months.

Despite all these challenges, the first and only female Governor of the semi-autonomous region of Southern Sudan hinted that the unity of the people of Southern Sudan and their cooperation in addressing the challenges humanly is very significant. According to her, the referendum is a historic event for the people of Southern Sudan. Known as ‘Southern Sudan Referendum’, it has become a song within the Capital Juba and it’s outskirts.