JUBA, APRIL 10, 2023 (Thejubamirror News ) – The civil society watchdog Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has expressed serious concerns over what it calls premature campaign and the political language being used by some political elites ahead of the country’s 2024 elections.
In a statement extended to Thejubamirror news Desk Sunday, CEPO said it is concerned by “premature” campaigns as some political leaders have expressed bids to run for public offices but have used languages that suggest fears of possible electoral rigging.
“CEPO is raising serious concerns on the shifting of political language among the political elites towards the expected December 2024 National General Elections,” the organization said in stthe atement.
The civil society watchdog also expressed concern about the lack of progress in reconstituting essential political institutions that play a critical role in establishing a conducive environment for conduct of credible and peaceful elections.
“Fears for lack of credible and non-violent elections among the population of the country are on the rise because the institutional set up for establishing conducive environment for conduct of credible and non-violent election till today are not reconstituted,” the statement said.
“Time is running out for beginning of institutional preparations for the conduct of credible and peaceful elections because the presidency which is supposed to give directives on key developments leading to this goal hasn’t yet done so,” CEPO warned.
Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO said that the civil society watchdog’s domestic observation mission is worried that unless the Political Parties’ Council, the National Elections Commission, and the National Constitutional Review Commission are reconstituted by April 2024, there will be insufficient time to create a conducive environment for conduct of credible and peaceful elections.
“CEPO domestic observation mission on the electoral preparatory stages is worry that time for institutional preparation for the conduct of December 2024 elections is getting narrative and limited,” Yakani said.
The civil society organization further vowed to release monthly elections observation statements that will advocate and lobby for proper preparation for the conduct of credible and peaceful elections in December 2024.
“CEPO domestic observation mission will be releasing monthly elections observation statements that will advocacy and lobby for proper preparation for the conduct of credible and peaceful elections in December 2024,” it stated.
Elections which were scheduled for 2022, were postponed by two years due to delays in the implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. The parties are expected to go to polls in December 2024, based on a new arrangement agreed for by the parties.
The ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) faction has endorsed President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the group’s leader, for president in what is seemingly contentious election.
Leader of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) Riek Machar who is also the first vice president has not yet declared his candidacy for the elections but is expected to be the flag bearer should is party decide to run for elections.
Meanwhile, former minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management and leader of the Other Political Parties Peter Mayen Majongdit on Sunday announced his intention to run for president.
