Members of the Misseriya tribe are voting in Sudan’s elections, but outside the borders of Abyei, the disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan.
Sudanese officials had previously made conflicting statements as to whether Abyei would be included as a constituency in the election.
Hamad Al Dudo, an emir of Al Mazaghina clan of the Misseriya tribe, told Radio Tamazuj that Misseriya citizens registered their names in voting centres outside Abyei’s borders after a constituency in northern Abyei was left out.
Hamad said the citizens did so in order not to lose their rights. He added that most of the people living in the contested area of Abyei were casting their votes in Al Aza centre, about 7 kilometres north of Abyei.
The tribal leader confirmed that the elections were progressing well. However, he complained about low voter turnout in the centre.