The Carter Center urged officials to accelerate preparations for voter registration and the referenda in southern Sudan and Abyei.
The group issued a press release calling for training of staff, distribution of materials, clarification of eligibility requirements and expansion of voter education.The statement urged the governments of National Unity and Southern Sudan to reconfirm their commitment to genuine referenda processes and urgently release funds to support the exercise.
The statement added that increased efforts should be made to conclude negotiations on critical post-referendum issues and to inform citizens about the potential impact of the vote.