Referendum Commission confident of successful results, 3.3 million votes cast
The SSRC Chairperson Professor Ibrahim Khalil has said that 84% of the registered voters cast their votes. This is a preliminary statistic carried by the Commission from 9th-14th January 2011.
We have completed the task. The result is really very satisfactory.\"
Speaking to the press in Juba, the Chairperson explained that the Commission is optimistic about announcing credible results, without threats of insecurity, interference and delay. He said most reports to their desk have indicated that the process of the plebiscite was of an international standard.
He further said all the processes of running the Southern Sudan Referendum had been successful. The Commission has overcome almost the entire process of the plebiscite according to Khalil. We have completed the task. The result is really very satisfactory”, he said.
3.9 million Voters were registered to vote in the referendum. Out of 3.7 million registered in Southern Sudan, 3.1 million voters have cast their ballots. Out of 116,000 registered in Northern Sudan, 62,000 (53%) have voted, while in the Disapora 55,000 (91%) voted out of 60,000 who registered.
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Khalil told the press that the SSRC does not expect to re-run the plebiscite. The Referendum Act of 2009 required that, out of the registered voters, 60% must vote and 50%+1 must confirm one of the options; unity of Sudan or secession or else the entire process has to be re-run a second time within 60 days.
Khalil also expects the results of the process to be announced on time, adding preliminary results for objections will be announced by the Commission in Khartoum on 31st January 2011.
We have already gone through the most difficult part.\"
The Deputy Chairperson and Chairperson of the Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau (SSRB) Justice Chan Reec Madut also assured peaceful announcements of the results. He said the two governments - of Southern Sudan and National Unity - are committed to the administration of the process.
He added that the most difficult challenges of the process had been overcome already. We have already gone through the most difficult part. The whole thing will be done in a peaceful atmosphere. I still trust in the house of the almighty that this will be done peacefully”, assured Chan.
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However, the Commission called for the commitment of the two governments and partners implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to ensure that the announcement of results and the completion of the referendum process are peaceful.
