LOC19:17
16:17 GMT
KHARTOUM, Nov 20 (KUNA) -- The Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC)
refuted on Saturday recent press reports that southerners faced obstacles
while registering for the upcoming referendum on self-determination, slated
for January 9, 2011.
Speaking to reporters here, SSRC spokesman George Makuer said: "The
registration process goes smoothly as planned."
"We've not received any official objections or complaints relating to the
registration whether in northern or southern Sudan," Makuer affirmed.
Commenting on the low turnout for registration particularly in Khartoum
State, he attributed the problem to the fact that registration coincided with
the start of the Eid Al-Adha holidays and the travel season from Sudan to the
United States.
The registration process, which started in mid November and will last until
the end of the month, sees a growing number of southerners who show up to
register for the referendum nationwide.
"The number of people who registered in Northern Sudan topped 9,000 but we
have yet to receive figures from the South," Makuer disclosed.
Initial reports from the south show larger turnout there which is normal
due to the fact that the region is the home of the southerners who are more
interested in the process, the spokesman argued.
Recent press reports blamed the former rebel People's Liberation Movement
(SPLM) for lobbying the southerners living in the north against going to polls
for fear that its peace partner the National Congress Party would use them in
rigging the January referendum. (end)
hhi.gb
KUNA 201917 Nov 10NNNN