From: Aldo Ben <babacolin@yahoo.ca>
Subject: Voters registration requirement has been changed by NEC in Khartoum
Date: Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 2:23 AM
Dear all,
Although the inclusion of these countries for voters registration and subsequently for voters participation during the forthcoming general election, is good news for us all,however, there are still more, and more harder hurdles to overcome before someone allows to register in those countries, especially here in the west.
For instance,today Lochalamoi and I went to Sudan Embassy here in Ottawa to enquire more information concerning the same issues-eligibility and/or requirements for registration. To our dismay,we were told that the initial requirement, which was announced my National Election Commission few days ago is now alter to include many things. Specifically, we were told that all Sudanese national currently living in Western countries including Canada, must have the following requirements in their possession as prerequisite to their registration.
a) Valid Sudanese nationality
b) Valid Sudanese passport
c) Birth certificate/assessment of age
d) Canadian passport or permanent resident card (if you live in Canada)
The above are the absolute requirements for someone to register abroad. Failure to have one of the above, you will never allow to register for voters registration. That means, you will not cast your vote comes next year general election as well as during the referendum process. We were also been told by Embassy official that the current voters list is going to be the same list use during the referendum voting.
If the government of south Sudan doesn't do something to allow Sudanese in Diaspora (specially Junubi) to register and vote during the coming election,then there is a likelihood that we Junubi may not going to get that forbidden fruit(Independent of South Sudan) when that time comes.
In a sense and by all standard, and given what I heard from the horse mouth today, I think it is safe for someone to conclude or openly argue that the forthcoming referendum is already dead on arrival.All physical symptoms are there written on the walls for doubt Moses to see and judge by themselves.
And for those brothers and sisters who have the interest of contesting any political positions in the coming election, my brotherly advice to you is that don't put all your eggs in one basket. The road is still rough and bumpy, hence, all of you may not make it through especially during party nomination process.
In other words, we shouldn't affiliate ourselves in one party alone. Rather, we need to diversify our political affiliations so as to have better chances of getting through and enter into the systems. This is what other tribes are doing in South Sudan and the case in point is Bari tribe.
That said, let us not shy away from joining other political parties, my dear brothers and sister.
Lokonyen Aldo
Ottawa, Ontario-Canada
COMING TOGATHER IS A BEGINNING. KEEPING TOGATHER IS PROGRESS. WORKING TOGATHER IS SUCCESS