Voter registration in Darfur, Sudan has exceeded 60%

Voter registration in Darfur has exceeded 60%. UNAMID will help provide security for observers and transportation of ballots in Darfur during the vote.

"Any foreigner or organization that demand the delay of elections will be expelled sooner rather than later, " Sudan's president al-Bashir said in remarks carried by the pan-Arab Al-Jazeera television.

"We want them to observe the elections, but if they interfere in our affairs and demanded the delay, we will cut their fingers and put them under our shoes and expel them," he told supporters, according to his remarks carried by Al-Arabiya television web site."

Meanwhile, the head of the U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur said Monday he expected elections in Darfur to go smoothly, despite fears of violence and calls for the poll's delay.

Ibrahim Gambari, who took over the UNAMID mission in January, said he doesn't think security will be "a major consideration."

"The security will be pretty good, if our experience in the registration period was anything to go by," he told The Associated Press after attending an international fundraising conference for Darfur in Cairo.

Gambari said an agreement between Sudan and Chad to stop supporting rebels in their respective countries, a general decline in fighting in Darfur and diminishing rebel control over territory have already had a positive impact on security.

Full story by Sarah El Deeb SARAH (AP) CAIRO, Tuesday, 23 March 2010: Sudan prez threatens to expel election observers

South Sudan: NCP accuses SPLM of registering voters after December 7 deadline

Hello, the second paragraph of this report made me laugh. Maybe I'm in a funny mood today and this report is not funny at all.

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 15 December 2009:
NCP Accuses SPLM of Registering Voters After December 7 Deadline

(Khartoum) – The National Congress Party is accusing the SPLM of registering voters after the registration exercise has officially ended.

The NCP secretary for Greater Bahr el-Ghazal, Matthew Mayor, told SRS on Tuesday in Khartoum that the voter registration exercise is still continuing in some parts of southern Sudan. Voter registration officially ended in Sudan on December 7.

[Matthew Mayor]: “Yesterday, we discovered that they were still registering people and we launched an investigation. We received accusations three days ago saying that the SPLM is still registering voters, even after the end of the official period. The registration papers have been seen at the polling stations. They have still not been collected and we are concerned that registration is still underway even after the end of the official period. People who are in the field are saying the SPLM is still registering soldiers. Of course this is not a simple issue, it is a big one and we will discuss it with the relevant authorities, which is the commission. This is a violation of the voter registration exercise.”

SRS attempted to contact the head of voter registration at the NEC, Alhadi Mohamed Ahmed, but he was unavailable for comment.

South Sudan: Unity State's voter registrars unable to reach people in remote areas

We have problems with people who are refusing to be registered, like the people in the cattle camps. They keep asking us why they should register. Some are saying that they won’t register unless we register their bull...

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service December 4, 2009:

(Bentiu, S. Sudan) - The voter registration committee in Unity state said they are not able to reach people in remote areas because of the conditions of the roads.

A registrar in Biey payam, Michael Nhial Kach, told SRS on Thursday that it is hard for them to reach the cattle camps where most people have taken their cattle for pasture. Another challenge they are facing is that people have not understood the significance of registering to vote.

[Michael Nhial Kach]: “Our problem is that there are no roads and we are always going to places which take us two or three days to get to on foot. But the security situation is good because the police are escorting us. Secondly, we have problems with people who are refusing to be registered, like the people in the cattle camps. They keep asking us why they should register. Some are saying that they won’t register unless we register their bull. It always takes time for us to explain and convince them.”

Nhial added that despite the challenges they are working hard to get all the people in the area to register before the registration process ends on December 7.

Carter Centre report says voter registration in Sudan progressing satisfactorily

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Tuesday, December 1, 2009:

(Khartoum) - The Carter Centre has issued a report which suggests that, despite logistical problems which have delayed the process, voter registration has been progressing satisfactorily since it begun on November 1st 2009.

The Carter Center was formed by in 1982 by former US president Jimmy Carter. As part of its governance program, the Center conducts election observation missions around the world.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service by phone from Khartoum on Monday, the Carter Center field office director, Jeffrey Mapendere, has acknowledged that the 7-day extension of the registration exercise will enable more people to register for the elections scheduled for 2010.

[Jeffrey Mapendere]: “As you saw in the statement, we are saying mainly two things. Generally speaking, it has been going on well, but of course there are things to be improved. One thing that they have already done is that they have extended the period which gives most people the opportunity to register. It will also help make sure that they provide enough materials to all the states so that at least those who want to register during this period don’t face problems. There have been a few cases where people ran out of registration books and some other materials. We are urging the Electoral Commission to make sure that supplies are provided and also that the staff working on the voter registration process get their salaries. Of course we have been experiencing low registration rates in several states, mostly in the south and also the totals so far are not as high as we expected but there are some states with very high registration rates.”

In their report, which was published on November 30, the Carter Center thanked the NEC for facilitating the work of its observers.

The Carter Centre has deployed observers from 21 countries to monitor the voter registration process.

South Sudan: Voter registration in Western Bahr el-Ghazal is moving on more smoothly

From Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 30 November 2009:

(Bor) - After experiencing low voter turn-outs and equipment shortages, there has been an increase in the numbers of people registering in Western Bahr el-Ghazal state, according to local officials.

One of the registrars, Madam Colita Aku, told Sudan Radio Service in Wau on Monday that they have enough registration material to complete the exercise.

[Colita Aku]: “The registration exercise in Western Bahr el-Ghazal is moving on more smoothly than before, because initially there was no awareness campaign, people weren't sure what was going on. But now people have realized that it is their right as citizens of the state and of southern Sudan to register for the coming elections. As regards the registration forms; we are sure that we have enough because we ordered more and they should be enough to see us through the remaining seven days of registration.”

Northern Bahr el-Ghazal also ran out of registration forms in all five counties, which led to the suspension of the exercise in the state.

The registration process in southern Sudan has been experiencing logistical problems and low turn-outs since the registration exercise started on November 1.

7 killed, 30+ injured in clashes between IDPs and gov't forces in Deleij camp and Geneina town, west Darfur

The adviser to the Minister of Information in the Government of National Unity, Dr. Rabbie Abdullaati, denied the involvement of the Sudan Armed Forces in the incident.

From Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 30 November 2009:

(Khartoum) - Seven people were killed and more than thirty others injured in the clashes between IDPs and government forces in west Darfur last Friday.

The clashes erupted when IDPs declared their support for Sudan Liberation Movement rebel leader Abdelwahid al-Nur and refused to take part in the voter registration exercise.

IDP spokesperson, Hussein Abu Sharati, described the incident to SRS on Sunday.

[Hussein Abu Sharati Arabic]: “On Friday, government forces and the Janjaweed militia came to register people in Deleij IDP camp and Geneina town, but the civilians refused to take part in the voter registration exercise, demanding that the government should bring peace by negotiating with the rebel groups in Darfur, disarm the militias and bring those who committed atrocities to justice. The IDPs said that they will only register if Abdelwahid returns to Sudan. That’s when the government soldiers and the Janjaweed started to force people to register. Then they asked the civilians to hand over the person that they wanted to vote for. Then they started shooting at people. They killed seven people and wounded thirty-seven others.”

However, the adviser to the Minister of Information in the Government of National Unity, Dr. Rabbie Abdullaati, denied the involvement of the Sudan Armed Forces in the incident.

[Dr. Rabbie Abdullaati]: “There is no evidence to prove these accusations. Maybe that incident was perpetrated by the Darfur anti-government groups who are divided into many factions. They want to disrupt the security situation, in order to send negative signals to other countries and bodies that support the anti-government groups in Darfur.”

Dr. Rabbie Abdullaati was speaking to SRS from Khartoum on Monday.

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UPDATE on Tuesday at 14:48 PM GMT UK December 1, 2009:

See Sudan Watch today: UNAMID strongly rejects accusations in a Sudan Tribune report against its peacekeepers

U.S. Special Envoy Gration Sudan Trip Summary

It is critical that Sudanese citizens take advantage of the recently announced one-week extension to register to vote, as it is the only way for the Sudanese people to maintain their right to participate in the national elections in April 2010.

From US Department of State
U.S. Special Envoy Gration Trip Summary
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 27, 2009

The United States Special Envoy to Sudan, Scott Gration, has just returned from a November 16-November 23 trip to Sudan. He traveled to the areas of Khartoum, Abyei, and Darfur.

In Khartoum, the two parties to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)—the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM)—continue their discussions to resolve key outstanding issues relating to the 2010 national elections and the 2011 referenda in Southern Sudan and Abyei. Without immediate resolution of these disputes, we are concerned about the chances for conducting credible elections and referenda. Unfortunately, the parties have not yet demonstrated the political will necessary to achieve resolution on these difficult and sensitive issues.

Special Envoy Gration also traveled to Abyei to observe the progress in implementing the July 2008 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling on the boundaries of this area. There is an urgent need for enhanced on-the-ground communication about the PCA decision, including its impact on local communities, in order to allay community concerns and prevent potential conflict.

In Darfur, Special Envoy Gration’s meetings concentrated on the security situation along the Chad-Sudan border. In a disturbing trend, lawlessness and banditry have heightened tensions along the border. Addressing these ongoing security concerns is crucial for achieving a lasting peace in Darfur.

Finally, the Special Envoy visited four voter registration centers in Khartoum, Abyei, and Darfur, as registration for the 2010 national elections is currently underway. It is critical that Sudanese citizens take advantage of the recently announced one-week extension to register to vote, as it is the only way for the Sudanese people to maintain their right to participate in the national elections in April 2010. PRN: 2009/1181

National Electoral Commission says any Sudanese person with refugee status in Egypt will not be allowed to register

85% of southern Sudanese in Egypt who hold a UNHCR card have been prevented from voter registration.

From Sudan Radio Service, Friday, November 27, 2009:

27 November 2009 - (Cairo) - Eighty-five per cent of southern Sudanese in Egypt who hold a UNHCR card have been prevented from registering in the voter registration exercise.

The registration committee in Egypt announced that any person with refugee status in Egypt will not be allowed to register.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service in Egypt, one of the registrars, Abubakar Abdelgadir, explains.

[Abubakar Abdelgadir]: “We have received instructions from the National Electoral Commission saying that anyone whose visa has been canceled by the Egyptian authorities and who has a refugee card should not be registered.”

The voter registration exercise in foreign countries has seen low turn-outs because the NEC has imposed a stringent set of registration requirements on Sudanese citizens living abroad.

Sudan Radio Service will be back online soon. This report was received by email.

The National Electoral Commission has cancelled arrangements which made voter registration easier for Sudanese citizens living in Kenya

News report from Sudan Radio Service for Thursday, 26 November 2009:

(Nairobi) - The National Electoral Commission has canceled arrangements which made voter registration easier for Sudanese citizens living in Kenya.

Earlier this week, the NEC had decided that a valid passport or a student ID was enough to enable people to register. People without a valid passport were able to register if they were accompanied by a witness who could vouch for their identity.

However, speaking to Sudan Radio Service on Thursday in Nairobi, the Sudanese ambassador to Kenya, Majok Guangdong, said the Embassy had received a letter from the NEC which set out the new registration requirements.

[Majok Guandong]: "Yesterday, we received a letter from the National Electoral Commission indicating that the procedures should follow the law, which states that a person should be Sudanese, 18 years and above, holding a valid Sudanese passport and a resident permit. People who do not meet these requirements will not be able to register."

Ambassador Guandong fears that fewer people will register following the announcement of the new requirements.

[Majok Guandong]: "I think the number of people will definitely reduce because there is no flexibility and the people who will turn out will be just those who meet the new requirements. I am expecting that the numbers of Sudanese coming to register will drop considerably."

He urged Sudanese citizens living in Kenya to continue to participate in the voter registration exercise.

Click on National Election Commission label here below to view related news and updates. Cross-posted to Kenya Watch.
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UPDATE at 17:18 PM GMT UK Friday November 27, 2009:

Report by Sudan Radio Service, November 27, 2009:

(Nairobi) - Following the cancellation of arrangements which make voter registration easier for Sudanese living in Kenya, voter turn-out numbers are expected to decline.

The chairman of a Sudanese community association based in Nairobi, Dr. Senari Abdulwahab, says the National Electoral Commission is denying Sudanese who live abroad the right to register.

[Dr Senari Abdulwahab]: “It is very surprising, because when the representative from the Commission came we talked and he was clear that people should respect the law, but that there must be some arrangement made because most Sudanese nationals in Kenyan don’t have documents like a passport or a resident permit. We agreed and so I was surprised that after two days, the orders to relax the rules were canceled. After this has happened, we can not say that the registration process is for all Sudanese, because they have introduced regulations that are penalizing some people. It is clear that they do not want Sudanese nationals who live in Nairobi to register.”

Senari Abdulwahab was speaking to Sudan Radio Service on Friday in Nairobi.

Southern Sudanese youth leaders say this time is the time for fighting with the ballot paper instead of with bullets

Report by Sudan Radio Service (SRS), Wednesday, November 25, 2009:

(Juba) - Southern Sudanese youth leaders are calling on young people in Sudan to come out and register in large numbers in order to take part in the coming general elections.

In an interview with Sudan Radio Service in Juba on Monday, representatives of the Juba University students’ association said that they will not be manipulated by politicians in the run-up to the 2010 general elections.

Dhal Adit Dhal, from JUSA, spoke to Sudan Radio Service.

[Dhal Adit Dhal]: “So many people have been hired to attack people. But what we have to do as young people is to make sure that this time is the time for fighting with the ballot paper instead of with bullets. We will go to our parents and other citizens to tell them about the importance of the elections. We should not be dragged blindly into them by the politicians. Sudan has been unstable for a very long time. We have to make sure that this time we make Sudan better. A new Sudan with all the different cultures and all the diversities!”

Adit called on young people to vote wisely in the coming elections and to elect responsible leaders who will act to create positive changes in Sudanese society.

Sudan Radio Service will be back online soon.

South Sudan: Very few people in Mayom county, Unity state, are registering to vote

Report by Sudan Radio Service, Wednesday, November 25, 2009:

(Mayom county) - Registrars in Mayom county, Unity state say they are facing security and logistical challenges and very few people are registering to vote.

The head of registration at Ruathnyibol payam in Mayom county, Zachariah How Koryom, says he fears they may not register some people in the county.

[Zachariah How]: “There are some areas that can not be reached because of the lack of good roads in the constituency. Another problem is insecurity, because of disagreements between communities. We need the police to take care of security while we are moving from house to house. The people do not come to registration centers because they are not aware of the elections and they do not see the importance of registration. So we are carryiong out mobilization and registration exercises at the same time. In the town, the registration is okay because they understand it. We have registered 11,000 people in Ruathnyibuol alone."

Zacharia How added that Mayom county is one of the areas that has been severely hit by drought this year.

He urges the government to solve the problem before the elections which are scheduled for early 2010.

Low turn-out of women for the voter registration in southern Sudan

Cecilia Andrea Apaya, a senior lecturer at Juba University, said that the university has introduced women’s studies in most departments to help fight the attitude that women are second-class citizens.

She called on the government to offer free primary education to girls, saying that it is the only way to encourage parents to send their girls to school.

Report by Sudan Radio Service, November 24, 2009:

(Juba) - The chairperson of the Southern Sudan Women’s Organization for Development and Rehabilitation, Cecilia Andrea Apaya, says that the low turn-out of women for the voter registration exercise in southern Sudan is due to the reluctance of women to participate in public life.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service in Juba on Monday, Cecilia Apaya said that illiteracy and ignorance among southern Sudanese women has contributed to the modest role of women in Sudanese politics.

[Cecilia Apaya]: “We must talk to women so that they understand why they should get involved in politics. But if we don’t talk to them, if we don’t raise their awareness, they will not come out to register, because they don’t understand the importance of politics. Most women are not educated, that’s the biggest problem we are now facing. The few educated ones have already registered but the majority has not. Because they don’t understand! They say why should I register my name there, why should I go there? Why should I leave my house, my children? There is no need for me to go there!”

Apaya, a senior lecturer at Juba University, said that the university has introduced women’s studies in most departments to help fight the attitude that women are second-class citizens.

She called on the government to offer free primary education to girls, saying that it is the only way to encourage parents to send their girls to school.

Note, the new website of Sudan Radio Service will be online very soon.

Voter registration center opens at Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 16-27, 2009

Report by Sudan Radio Service, Friday, 20 November 2009:

(Nairobi) - The voter registration center at the Sudan Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, has seen low turnouts of people wanting to register since registration began on Tuesday in the Kenyan capital.

The Sudanese Embassy became a registration center after a petition was sent to the National Election Commission to allow Sudanese in Kenya and Uganda to participate in the election as well.

Mohamed Fadhul Ali is the head of the voter registration committee in Kenya. He spoke to Sudan Radio Service on Friday.

[Mohamed Fadhul]: “We opened this center at the Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi here on November 16 and we will continue until the 27th. The number of people who have registered so far is less than a hundred. This is really not a good result. We made the procedures easy for people so that they know what documents to bring when coming for registration. For instance, we are ready to give people passports and if you have a student ID you can register as well.”

Fadhul adds that they are prepared to work on weekends to allow more people to register.

Malook Manas is one of the voters who registered on Friday.

[Malook Manas]:I was able to register because I have a student ID; otherwise they would have not allowed me to register. But you know now it’s not holiday time for students and they have to squeeze in the time with their studies in order to come and register. So our government should have opened many more registration centers because the Sudanese embassy is very far from a lot of people. Many Sudanese live outside Nairobi, because as you know, life in the city is expensive. Many of the older people, who live in Mombasa, will take two days to get here and registration is going to end soon.”

Initially, NEC had only allowed Sudanese living in the Gulf to register and it excluded residents of Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

Ambassador Majok Guandong told Sudan Radio Service last week that there are plans to open registration centers in Nakuru and Eldoret where there are large Sudanese populations. The plan is yet to come into effect.

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Report by Sudan Radio Service, Friday, November 20, 2009:

(Mundri) - As voter registration continues throughout Sudan, there are an increasing number of complaints from some voter registration centers.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service on Friday from Mundri, the deputy governor of Western Equatoria state, Joseph Ngere, said that the figures of those registered in Mundri have been falsified.

[Joseph Ngere]: “The actual figure we got is 11,028, but the figures given to the National Electoral High Committee in the state is 4,258. You can see the difference. I understand that our team here is working with the National Election Commission, but what they might report is not what we have here, and this is causing a lot of arguments. I understand that usually what they get from the field they send to Khartoum, and if they are sending these figures and the figures that we have is 11,028 and they are sending is 4,258, then we have a big problem.”

Ngere said that following the seven-day holiday given to government officials by the President of GOSS, most of the MPs in Western Equatoria state are encouraging their people to register for the elections.