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Sudan Referendum Commission Denies Referendum Act Violations

   Peter Clottey 15 December 2010
   Residents  of  the remote south central Southern Sudan village of Nyal
   line  up  to  register  their  names at a local school being used as a
   voter registration office, 15 Nov 2010.

Photo: AFP

   Residents  of  the remote south central Southern Sudan village of Nyal
   line  up  to  register  their  names at a local school being used as a
   voter registration office, 15 Nov 2010.

   An  official  of  Sudanâs  referendum commission has expressed concern
   that  a  Constitutional  Court  ruling  that  seeks  to  dissolve  his
   organization  could  jeopardize the organization of the scheduled 9^th
   January referendum.

   George Benjamin, spokesman for the referendum commission, told VOA his
   group  has  yet  to  officially  receive  notice  from the court about
   allegations  that  there  were  violations  of  Sudanâs Referendum Act
   during the recent voter registration process.

   âOf  course,  the referendum commission did not violate the Referendum
   Act,â said Benjamin.

   âAfter  registration,  it is normal that there could be complaints and
   there  are  consultation  committees, which have been formed, and they
   are all over the place to look into those complaints. In case somebody
   did  not feel (satisfied) with the decision of the committees, then he
   can proceed to a special court, which has been established.â

   Concerned   groups   from   southern   Sudan   have   petitioned   the
   Constitutional  Court  to  dissolve the commission after claiming they
   possess  documented  evidence  showing  violations  during  the  voter
   registration.

   The groups also claim the violations will undermine the credibility of
   both the voters list, as well as the January referendum. The court has
   yet  to  officially  begin  investigations  into the allegations after
   accepting the petitions.

   But,  Benjamin  said the referendum commission has been transparent in
   its activities ahead of next monthâs vote.

   Observers  have  expressed  concern over the potential for violence if
   the Constitutional Court dissolves the referendum commission.

   âThat  is  our  fear.  However,  we will have to wait and see what the
   court  will  do first. And when we are notified, then we will know and
   we will respond accordingly,â said Benjamin.

   He   said   over  three-million  prospective  southern  Sudanese  have
   registered  to  vote in the upcoming referendum. Southern Sudanese are
   expected to decide if the semi-autonomous south secedes and becomes an
   independent nation or is joined with the north.

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