The Catholic Bishop of Rumbek said a peaceful referendum in Sudan has to unfold in phases, identifying three stages that would qualify the referendum as peaceful and a success.
Bishop Caesar Mazzolari told Good News Radio that the actual casting of the vote is the first stage of the referendum.Bishop Mazzolari encouraged voters to exercise their right in peace and freely without undue pressure from others including selling the vote.
The bishop said the announcement of the referendum results was the second stage, explaining that a peaceful referendum will depend on how the results are accepted.
Bishop Mazzolari urged the Sudanese people be prepared to accept the results in peace, especially if they go against expectations.
Bishop Mazzolari described the third stage of the vote as “the works of the after referendum.”
The bishop urged people to commit themselves to work as hard as they can with their talents to renew and develop the country.
There are over 3,9 million Southern Sudanese registered in the territory of Southern Sudan, in Northern Sudan and in eight other countries ready to take part in the referendum for self-determination.
For the referendum to be valid some 2.3 million registered voters have to take part in the polls.