An alliance of South Sudanese political parties has filed a law suit seeking the Supreme Court to block the government from organizing and conducting elections planned to take place in June, saying the move goes against a number of constitutional provisions.
The alliance of more than 17 major political parties said in in statement on Thursday it was committed to preventing the government from continuously going against the constitution.
The group was represented by Advocate Agok Makur, who told reporters he cherishes the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all people, regardless of their tribes, region and culture should have the right to live together in harmony with equal opportunities, including the right to be allowed to vote without fear of threats, intimidations and subjected to killing.
“Our constitution should be the guiding document and be the basis of any decision on matters related to the affairs of the nation. According to the transitional constitution, there are several activities to be organized and conducted before elections are held. These are prerequisite requirements which cannot be ignored,” said Makur.
He added, “One of these requirements is the census and the registration of the political parties. But the most important of all is the lack of conducive environment for these elections to be organized, because as you know the country is at war. So it is imperative peace is given utmost priority.
Meanwhile, the leader of the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), Lam Akol, said the alliance which includes his party, decided to try to stop the planned elections because doing so contravenes the constitution.
He cited violations of “many sections” of the National Elections Act as well as provisions of the constitution. He also cited article 194 of the constitution, a provision that says that anybody who runs for office in an election should be somebody who respects the constitution.
File photo: Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut