A SPLM official urged his colleagues yesterday in Juba to exercise restraint during the referendum vote in order not to compromise the exercise.
Antipas Nyok is SPLM Southern Sector Secretary for Political Affairs and Mobilization. He warned his comrades to avoid confrontations around referendum centres during the voting period.Mr. Nyok said anti-secessionists may use abusive language and other violent means to provoke SPLM supporters and disrupt the vote.
Mr. Nyok called upon party members to remind separatists to stop wearing anti-unity campaign materials including T-shirts and caps around referendum centres after January 8.
He added that the international community including the northern media would use such incidents to soil the party’s image.
The SPLM is seeking a high profile recognition during and after the referendum by minimizing unwanted malicious incidents that could downplay the vote’s validity.