By Hou Akot Hou
Youth Steering Committee tasked with organizing elections in Northern Bahr El Gazal state has announced the completion of procedural arrangements ahead of the scheduled polls.
The elections, initially planned for October of last year, were postponed due to various political and economic challenges, according to the steering committee.
Information Secretary Mr. Geng Garang Lual, stated on Thursday that they recently met with the governor to discuss strategies for proceeding with the elections.
Mr. Garang explained that the steering committee had submitted their resignation letters earlier this year but were subsequently called upon by the governor to continue with the election preparations.
“All the procedures and the mechanisms that are meant to pave the way to elect the new youth body in the state have been completed. As a lot of interruptions have been witnessed in the past, we have managed to resolve them with the governor who called us after the adjourning of the elections which was about to happen early this year. So they are resolved,” said Geng.
“The governor listened to us on the grievances that retarded the convention in which elections would have taken place. Now it is going to take place as our mandate is extended till March 30 to give roles to a new body after electing them into the office, so the elections will take place on March 27-28 2025,” he noted.
Minister of Youth and Sports, Bol Akuar Gamar, acknowledged the obstacles that delayed the convention.
“We have agreed with the youth about the slated or rescheduled convection whereby they would elect their own leaders, no interference of any kind will take place so it going to happen as the steering committee has stated,” he confirmed.
The youth body in Northern Bahr El Ghazal state has faced significant political challenges, including the arrest of a former youth leader, the disruption of their meetings, and the prevention of their activities.
It remains to be seen whether the youth will be able to conduct their elections without political interference.