By Philip Thon Aleu
November 10, 2009 (BOR) – Community members in Pigi County, Jonglei state refused and detained registration materials following inclusion of Korwai Payam – inhabited by Khorfulus community to north Pigi, a traditional Atar area, in a move that halted voter registration, officials say.
Atar community requests a separate constituency. A peace agreement, facilitated by South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardi, quelled a tension between the two communities earlier this year and adopted equitable sharing of powers in the County that also acquired a new name.
There are 29 state geographical constituencies (SAGC) allocated in Jonglei based on 2008 national census including 2 – the north and south Pigi – traditionally inhabited by Atar and Khorfulus communities respectively. But, only 20,000 people were counted in 2008 national census in Atar area; a figure below a threshold required for a constituency. 28,000 people counted in Korwai payam of a Khorfulus community inhabited area, was added to the 20,000 Atar people to make north Pigi constituency – something Atar community leaders reject.
A member of voter registration officers in Pigi County, Ayar Deng told the Sudan Tribune that their "materials for registration are detained by members of the community."
In Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, NEC senior officials – getting news from the Sudan Tribune when asked to commend, say the community have no authority to interfere with registration exercise but pledged speedy resolution with concern Pigi County leaders.
Pigi Commissioner Santino Riak Athian confirmed the locking-up of registration tools in his County but echoed NEC statement last Friday. Mr. Athian described the community interference as a strain to voter registration.
"To detain registration materials is intimation," Athian told the Sudan Tribune adding that members of parliament from the 2 constituencies should work tirelessly to find a way forward.
The development in Pigi County adds loads to already challenged voter registration exercise in Jonglei state. Turn out is low in registration centers around and in Bor town visited by Sudan Tribune but worse in villages affected by tribal conflicts where the population is starving.
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