The chairperson of South Sudan’s electoral commission says his organization is ready to conduct a national vote in 2015 if it gets the funds to do so.
This week the cabinet, chaired by President Salva Kiir, directed the national minister of finance to release funds to the commission to begin preparing for 2015 elections.
When asked how a new election could be possible when the country is at civil war with about half a million citizens taking refuge abroad, electoral commission chair Abednego Akok Kacuol declined to comment and referred Radio Tamazuj to the national assembly. He said he simply carries out policy but does not make it.
Akok said whether there is peace in the country or not, as long as the commission receives funds then the 2015 election will take place.
Information Minister Micheal Makuei Lueth said the commission will not be in position to conduct a census prior to a vote but will use data from 2010 to set up voter registration centers.
Makuei said the constitution provides for the government to hold office until 8 July, with a new administration and legislature swearing in on 9 July.
According to South Sudan’s constitution, Kiir’s presidential term ends in July 2015.
Radio Tamazuj photo: Abednego Akok Kacuol speaks to the press in May 2014.
For breaking news updates from Radio Tamazuj ‘like’ our page on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our RSS feed.