The national parliament okayed on Tuesday the names of eight members proposed for the National Election Commission, leaving out Akur Julia Ajuoi Magot because she was under the 35-year-old threshold required by law.
Speaker James Wani Igga read the names from the list starting with the chairperson of the Commission. When he read out the name of Ms Akur some MPs applauded while others objected.MP Gatwec Lam Pouch, who led the Ad hoc vetting committee, explained that the Ms Akur said she started school in 1987, and told the committee over the phone that she was born in 1977.
He explained that the committee was not satisfied with the information and requested additional data from the Justice Ministry where Ms Akur is employed.
The Minister of Justice answered that Ms Akur was born in 1980 as it was indicated in her passport and other documents.
Ms Akur was vetoed because she is 32 and the members of the National Election Commission have to be at least 35 years old.
The names passed include Professor Abedenigo Akok Kacuol, who is the chairperson of the National Election Commission, deputy chairperson Jersa Kiden Barsaba, Mac Maica Deng, Anthony Mogga Lado, Lawrence Sulubia Amin, Paul Marial Dot, John Dak Puok and Lawrence Deng Aluate.