Opposition calls for level playing field ahead of elections

By Awan Achiek

The Coalition of Other Political Parties (OPP) has called for a level playing field during election campaign prior to voting day.

Kornelio Kon Ngu, a member of the OPP coalition said that campaign activities should be open for all registered political parties to start campaign rallies ahead of the December 22 vote.

“We as members of the opposition are ready. The Political Parties Council has registered 29 political parties and they can’t go for elections unless political campaigns are opened,” Kon said on Monday after the meeting with the leadership of the Political Parties Council in Juba.

Kon said that OPP is ready and prepared to take part in the December elections.

“The law says that if you want to participate in the elections, you need to be registered and that is why we have come as members of the opposition to inquire from the chairman of the political Parties Council,” he said.

For his part, James Akol Zakayo, Chairperson of Political Parties Council said that they are ready to submit the list of the 29 registered political parties if requested by the National Election Commission (NEC).

Akol said that unregistered political parties will not take part in the elections, adding that the law doesn’t sympathize with them.

“If it is me and not the law, I would accommodate everyone but do we have that room in the law that gives sympathy and accommodation? No. The law is very strict and we go by law, and for that I know the concerns and the feelings of others who have been let down by the situation they are in, but I’ve got nothing to do for anyone, it’s the law,” he said.