The Central Equatoria State Youth Union on Sunday elected Charles Lodu Daniel as the union’s new chairperson following a three-day youth convention at the state headquarters, Juba.
Over 80 youth delegates from the six counties of Central Equatoria State attended the convention and exercised their voting rights by picking Lodu against his main contender Kunyu Benjamin Mono.
The secretary for State Affairs at the South Sudan National Youth Union, Justin Urio Ajongo, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the electoral process was free and fair.
“The chair-elect is Charles Lodu Daniel from Terekeka County who competed with Kunyu Benjamin. The total number of the delegates is 85 from the six counties plus other youth organizations,” Urio said. “The mandate and one of our key objectives at South Sudan National Youth Union are we need the youth to decide on who should lead them in free and fair elections. And indeed that was what happened yesterday because the two contestants went for the elections and everything was free and fair, done in presence of all the voters and agents of the candidates were all present and verified the process.”
The newly designated chairperson for Central Equatoria State youth union, Charles Lodu Daniel applauded the people and the youth in the state for electing as the union’s new chair.
“I am very grateful for the people especially the youth of Central Equatoria State for the trust they have bestowed on me to lead the Central Equatoria State Youth Union,’’ Lodu said while thanking the voters.
He adds, “It is very important to remember that some emotions and mixed feelings emerged during elections, but I need to leave them behind and then start with a new chapter and unite all to do what we think we can do.”
For his part, Kunyu Benjamin Mono said the election was marred with intimidation and bribes.
“The process was free though with some challenges. We were not given enough room to campaign and we were threatened with arrests that is why we did not do our best,” Benjamin claimed.