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Sudan Ruling Party Supports Extension of Voter Registration Period

   Peter Clottey 25 November 2010
   Young  Sudanese  supporters  wait  for the arrival of Nafie Ali Nafie,
   deputy head of Sudan's ruling National Congress Party and assistant of
   president Omar al-Bashir, to address a crowd on upcoming referendum, 9
   Nov 2010

Photo: AFP

   Young  Sudanese  supporters  wait  for the arrival of Nafie Ali Nafie,
   deputy head of Sudan's ruling National Congress Party and assistant of
   president Omar al-Bashir, to address a crowd on upcoming referendum, 9
   Nov 2010

   A  prominent  member  of  Sudanâs ruling National Congress Party (NCP)
   told  VOA  his party and the Sudan Peopleâs Liberation Movement (SPLM)
   will  soon  hold discussions to extend the period of the ongoing voter
   registration process ahead of the 9^th January referendum.

   Rabie  Abdelati Obeid said the NCP believes that there is need for the
   extension  to allow the referendum commission to adequately prepare to
   organize  a credible vote on whether south Sudan remains united to the
   north or becomes independent.

   âAt  the beginning of this phase of registration, the turnout, even in
   the  south  and  north, (was) not okay due to obstacles. Some of these
   were  created  by  SPLM  members,  especially  in the northern states,
   terrorizing   and   threatening.  Also,  Eid  days  (Muslim  holiday),
   vacations, the movement of people outside the city (are) far away from
   registration centers, this affected the registration,â Obeid said.

   âIn  addition,  (there  were)  some  obstacles  already  shown  by the
   referendum  commission  saying  that  a  lot  of  facilities  were not
   provided,  financial  support was not provided and some other logistic
   needs.  These  are  actually  major  reasons  for the necessity of the
   extension of the registration (period).â

   Obeidâs  comments  came after Sudanâs referendum commission reportedly
   petitioned  both  the NCP and the SPLM parties asking for an extension
   of the voter registration period.

   The  commission  cited,  among  other things, logistical and financial
   challenges  that  could undermine the organization and the credibility
   of the January referendum.

   Obeid said both parties have to unanimously agree before the extension
   would  be  approved.  He  also  said  that  the extension of the voter
   registration period will encourage more prospective voters both in the
   north and south to register ahead of the referendum

   âDefinitely,  I think that the referendum commission acknowledged that
   there  were  a  lot of problems during the past days starting from the
   beginning  of  registration.  And,  they  also  acknowledged that some
   people (created) a lot of obstacles and there were violations (which),
   according to the referendum commission, will not lead to a transparent
   referendum.â

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