An inappropriate call to government employees to contribute to referendum fund was the cause for an initial low turn-up for the registration in Central Equatoria state.
This is the view of Pastor Chris G. Francis from the Charismatic Episcopal Church of Sudan.Pastor Chris told Bakhita Radio that the call by the state government to its employees to contribute for the referendum fund with a percentage of their salaries was good but badly implemented.
He explained that the contribution was imposed on the civil servants and they were not happy, especially those with small salaries.
Pastor Chris revealed that his Church encouraged the faithful to forgive and accept the Government’s call and focus on the referendum, the final goal.
He also criticized the announcement made by the Central Equatoria Minister of Information who is quoted to say that civil servants would get their salaries only if they produced their voter cards.
Pastor Chris said he doubted whether authorities in southern Sudan were serious about the referendum.
The government of Central Equatoria state called on the state employees at the eve of the registration process to give a percentage of their salaries towards the referendum fund.