Stakeholders are evaluating civic and voter education activities prior to the elections in Lakes State in order to prepare for the upcoming referendum.
The National Electoral Commission organized a two-day workshop in Rumbek with funds from UNDP, and implemented by IOM, in partnership with the UNMIS Electoral Section and members of Lakes State Electoral High Committee.Mr. Samuel Macaar is a member of Lakes State Electoral High Committee. He told Good News Radio that the workshop aimed at evaluating the civic and voter education that was carried out before the April 2010 general elections.
Mr. Macaar added that 21 partners who participated in preparations for the elections were present, including church representatives, youth associations, women groups, media houses, and Non Governmental Organizations involved in civic and voter education.
Mr. Macaar hoped that the workshop would give recommendations to help improve the process of voting.
Clara Seitz, a UNMIS Civic Education Officer in Rumbek, said that the workshop was focused on improving the material and activities in voter education to ensure more effective voter education before the referendum.
On the first day of the workshop, participants discussed some challenges that voter education process experienced in Lakes State, like insufficient time for voter education; insecurity; limited financial resources and poor coordination between partners.
Voter education is of paramount importance for a good participation at the long awaited referendum in January 2011, considering the high levels of illiteracy among voters in Lakes State in particular and Southern Sudan in general.