SPLM-IO blocked from elections over failure to register

By Awan Achiek

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) said on Sunday that it has been blocked from taking part in the upcoming December 2024 elections, after it failed to register on time with the Political Parties Council (PPC).

Nathaniel Oyet Pierino, Deputy Chairperson of SPLM-IO said the Political Parties Council has barred them from elections after failing to meet the 30th June, 2024 deadline set for registration of all political parties aspiring to take part in the general election.

“The announcement of the Chairperson of the PPC, that parties with military wings don’t qualify to register as political parties and shall not participate in the elections does not take into consideration the implementation of the transitional security arrangement,” Oyet told journalists in Juba.

Oyet accused the James Akol Zakayo the Chairperson of the Political Parties Council of using the body to dictate rules and procedures without consultation and consent of other peace partners.

“The registration of political parties is not an isolated process but it is part and parcel of the prerequisites of the conduct of peaceful, transparent, inclusive, free, fair and credible elections as enshrined in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan,” he disclosed.

He said the decision of the PPC undermines the inter-party dialogue, and also contravenes the 2018 revitalized peace agreement,

“The actions of the Chairperson of the PPC has made the members of the council, the political parties and general public lose confidence in his integrity, neutrality and ability to steer and work with political parties in a multiparty political system in support of conduct of elections,” Oyet said.

He accused the PPC Chairperson of carrying out the interests of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement party led by President Salva Kiir.

“He is not there on his own. We know the party that nominated him, and I am sure, given the conduct and his activities over the last few weeks, he is actually carrying out the interests of the (SPLM) party that nominated him,” Oyet revealed.

He accused Akol of disregarding the legal advice of Ruben Madol Arol, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to reduce the exorbitant registration fee set earlier by the Political Parties Council.

The Political Parties Council set the registration fee for political parties at 75,000 U.S dollars, leading several parties to protest.

The Political Parties Council announced June 30, 2024 as the deadline to end registration for political parties aspiring to contest the upcoming December 2024 elections.

According to the data from the Political Parties Council, about 30 political parties have registered in the country.