South Sudan Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Martin Elias Lomuro, appealed to all institutions to mobilize and encourage citizens to register for the 2010 elections. Speaking during a press conference in Juba on Wednesday, Lomuro said if all people register, the results would be used to challenge the census results that were rejected by all people in southern Sudan. He further emphasized that voters' registration gives the people the political power to determine their future. Lomuro said relevant authorities have done little to enlighten people about the exercise.
He added that registration process in some southern Sudan areas are faced with lack of logistical, financial and security support. Governor of Central Equatoria State, Clement Wani Konga, called on citizens of the state to practice their rights by registering for the upcoming elections.
In a speech read on his behalf by the State's Deputy Governor, Konga reiterated his commitment to the democratization of the state by ensuring free and fair elections in April next year.
Deputy Governor, Manse Lomule, described the elections as a "golden opportunity for change" and warned that failure to participate in them would negatively impact on the future generation.
Lomule warned that anyone who obstructs the registration process will be considered as a criminal. Meanwhile, Minister of Information in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Dak Lual Bol, noted slowness in the progress of registration due to lack of transportation and unreadiness of some centers.
