Political parties should not be threatened to boycott their participation in upcoming elections due perceived imbalances.
It is not right, and parties shouldn’t be afraid of elections scheduled to take place on 22nd December 2024 at the end of the transitional period of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Sadly, the countdown for the election is nearing, while our politicians still decry a lack of leveled and balanced play grounds for fair, free, and credible elections.
Bellows of the political parties that “We want an election that is credible, an election that grants the rights and inspirations of the people of South Sudan, an election where South Sudanese will have an opportunity to vote for the leaders, leaders of their choices, not anybody choosing for them the leaders,” are evident dissatisfaction of the roller-coaster.
The question is, is the National Election Commission (NEC) organized? If the leaders are really serious about polls to be conducted this year, who is supposed to organize the commission?
As South Sudanese, we need to know about the National Election Commission and its program.
If all South Sudanese must partake in the elections, these four remaining months are enough for the government to arrange for return of citizens from the camps and the diaspora. This could be done before conduct of census to ascertain the accurate population and those eligible to vote.
But as some politicians put it early that the elections would take place, even without a census, it is also a great move. It would also be of more praises if those in the Diaspora were given a chance to vote from where om they are. In this way, corrupt politicians will not deploy sinister maneuvers to attain power for their selfish interests but through elections.
Now, what the government needs to do, is prepare good feeder roads, health facilities and stabilize security in all parts of the country for easy transportation of citizens from the diaspora, as well as maintain healthy conduct of elections.
This means all processes must be in place for every success, and all ministers should work hard in implementing the process in every sector that needs assistance. All parties are supposed to be free from others, in conducting their public campaigns without interference from other institutions or political parties.
Under all circumstances, we must avoid disgruntles and repeat of 2013 incidences that led to violence, which recurred in 2016 and tore the country into tatters.
Let us remember those who are suffering in foreign countries so that the peace that we are pursuing, will be forever and not to serve our interests; otherwise, politicians will take the country back to crisis.
God Bless South Sudan.
Be Right There!