Statements By Politicians May Affect Credibility Of The Referendum, Says Analyst

18 November 2010 – (Khartoum) – A Sudanese political analyst says that statements by officials in both the north and the south ahead of the upcoming referendum could largely affect the credibility of the referendum.

Speaking to SRS on Thursday from Khartoum, Taj el-Sir Meki, said that the statements currently made by politicians are negative to the referendum process.

[Taj el-Sir Meki]: “These statements by the north and south government officials will negatively affect the referendum to be conducted in a democratic, free and fair manner. Because these statements are not balanced, sensitizing southerners about both unity and secession. In the north, you will find some statements talking about what could happened if south secedes, such threats are that southerners in the north will not enjoy comfortable life and that they will not even get an injection. These can negatively affect the freedom of the voter. In the south, the ultimate call for independence not separation could also create a hostile environment for unionists in the south.”

Meki said that such negative statements have clearly affected the turnout for the referendum voter registration process in the country.

[Taj el-Sir Meki]: “In fact what has happened in the north, southerners did not register, 2 million southerners according to the government’s statement, did not register so far. The turnout is very very low, only a few individuals have registered in each center. That could mean that they may be responding to the calls and statements that southerners should not register in the north, alleging that the referendum results in the north might be manipulated. In the south, there is a huge turnout and there is a clear and supported call by the political leaders that people should vote for separation. These things will absolutely negatively affect the referendum process.”

Taj el-Sir Meki, a Sudanese political analyst was speaking to SRS from Khartoum on Thursday.