Sudan opens vote centre in Kenya, Uganda

The government of Sudan has now opened voter registration centres in three Sub-Saharan countries previously left out by the National Elections Commission.

Sudanese nationals in Diaspora will now be able to register and participate in the 2010 elections from South Africa, Kenya and Uganda. Another centre has also opened in Malaysia bringing the countries identified by NEC for the exercise to 14.

And on Monday, hundreds of Sudanese nationals living in Kenya thronged the country’s embassy in Nairobi to beat the November 30 deadline set by the National Elections Commission.

Speaking after launching the exercise, Sudan ambassador Mr Majok Guandong denied the opening of the centres was a response to the pressure from the South.

“The Sudanese in Diaspora have a right to take part in the elections which the government and NEC recognise,” said Mr Guandong.

The Government of Southern Sudan had two weeks ago threatened to boycott elections if certain conditions were not met.

One of the conditions according to the head of mission of the Southern government in Nairobi John Duku was opening registration centres in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Congo-Brazaville and the Democratic Republic of Congo where Mr Duku stressed hosts many South Sudanese refugees.

Mr Duku had said the South was unimpressed with the way the North was conducting the voter registration exercise that started November 1 to run for 30 days.

The list of eligible countries initially distributed to Missions abroad included Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Sultanate of Oman, Bahrain, the UK, Belgium (for all Western Europe) and USA.

Mr Guandong explained the opening of new centres was due to the government’s all-inclusive policy.

“Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, many Sudanese have acquired identification and travel documents, which makes them eligible to vote,” he said.

He dismissed the boycott threats stating the national leaders of Southern Sudan were at the forefront encouraging people to register.

“These threats are non-existence and a figment of imagination of a few individuals,” sated Mr Guandong.

Sudan Missions in the three additional Africans countries will ask NEC for extension of voter registration period, the envoy also said. A second centre in Nairobi will be opened Tuesday to serve the overwhelming figures.

In addition, two more centres will be opened in Nakuru and Eldoret where Mr Guandong observed had many Sudanese nationals.

One must have attained the age 18 to register besides holding a valid Sudanese passport, a valid stay permit in Kenya and a valid resident permit in Kenya for dual citizenship holders.

Refugees living in Kakuma but do not meet the criteria will be excluded, Mr Guandong disclosed