The members of Twic community of Twic County in Warrap State, residing in Juba, held an election on Sunday at Freedom Hall to elect their new chairman. After months of intense campaigning and a delay by the National Security Service, the community finally had the opportunity to vote. Two candidates, Dium Cyerdit of the Mayarwa Agenda group and Ngot Mayar of the Mayardit First faction, faced off in the election after a third candidate, Kiir Chol, withdrew, citing intimidation by the National Security Service.
Over 5,000 community members from the six payams of Twic County—Turalei, Wunrok, Pannyok, Aweng, Akoc, and Ajak-Kuac—registered to vote. Ngot Mayar emerged victorious, winning five out of the six payams, with Dium Cyerdit only securing a win in Pannyok Payam.
The results were as follows:
– Ajak-Kuac Payam: Ngot Mayar – 126, Dium Cyerdit – 80
– Akoc Payam: Ngot Mayar – 310, Dium Cyerdit – 254
– Aweng Payam: Ngot Mayar – 432, Dium Cyerdit – 232
– Pannyok Payam: Dium Cyerdit – 455, Ngot Mayar – 348
– Turalei Payam: Ngot Mayar – 354, Dium Cyerdit – 260
– Wunrok Payam: Ngot Mayar – 897, Dium Cyerdit – 777
The election was commended by Prof. Abednego Akok Kachuol, the national chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC), who visited the election venue on Sunday and expressed his support for the process. The voting concluded at 8 PM, with the counting continuing overnight, and the final results were announced on Monday morning at 10 AM.
Observers praised the election as peaceful, free, and fair. The orderly conduct of the process by the Twic community in Juba is being seen as a potential model for national elections, as South Sudan has not held a general election since gaining independence in 2011.
