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January 14, 2011

South Sudan Independence Vote Reaches Turnout Threshold 
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In Sudan, officials monitoring the week-long referendum on Southern
Sudan's future say turnout has reached the required threshold to make
the result binding. Residents of Southern Sudan are expected to vote to
split from the mostly Muslim north. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
said turnout has hit the required minimum of 60 percent of the voters.

Jimmy Carter: "There is a requirement to legitimize the election, or the
referendum, that 60 percent of those registered vote. And that criterion
has already been reached. So there's no doubt about the legitimacy of
the election, as far as the number of votes cast."



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