RELIEVE COMMISSIONERS TOO, SOUTHERN SUDAN OPPOSITIONS ARGUE

Constitutional post holders contesting in April elections in South Sudan, including state governors, are due to resign on Friday February 12, 2010 but County Commissioners will not. Still, opposition parties want them to relinquish powers too, before campaigns starts on Saturday February 13.Opposition parties say that County Commissioner in Jonglei State, may indirectly use their powers to favor their candidates since they are all SPLM officials.
William Gatjaith of United Democratic Front (UDF) said County commissioners are very aggressive to SPLM opponents and they should be relieved if peaceful elections are to be held.

The Sudan African National Union (SANU) representative cited the incident allegedly committed in Fangak County “when the Commissioner called soldiers to tie-up” SPLM rivals during voter registration exercise last year.
The request to replace the local leaders with interim authorities was not responded to in the meeting.

However, Dr. Mum Kou Nhial who is an expert on election processes said NEC is employing Constituency Electoral Officers (CEOs) in all corners of the State who will help to check on the behaviors of political rivals. He added that commissioners will not be involved in the organization of the campaigns.