Referendum in southern Sudan tomorrow to decide whether an independent
International Online reports (Pui Tai correspondent in Sudan): southern Sudan will hold a referendum on the 9 to determine whether the region separated from the Sudan. Progress of preparations for a referendum now? Can peace be voting? Here we connect the station wearing a shellfish correspondent in Sudan, asking him to introduce the relevant situation. Tony Dai, Hello!
First of all, please give us the basic information about the referendum, its peace process in Sudan, what is the meaning?
Reporter: mediation of the international community, North and South Sudan in January 2005 signed a "comprehensive peace agreement", the two sides formed a national unity government, ending more than 20 years of war. Under the agreement, southern Sudan, the Sudanese Government of National Unity will be the end of 6 years after the transition period, on January 9, 2011 held on the North-South reunification referendum. In the southern region through a referendum to decide their own fate, if the voting results for the separation of the south from the Sudan, then in the next 6-month transition period, the North and the South will border demarcation, water and oil distribution and sharing of issues such as international debt consultations, a formal agreement is reached in the southern region to establish their own country. Can be said that the current history of Sudan is at a critical moment, the referendum for the further implementation of "comprehensive peace agreement" with the positive and comprehensive peace in Sudan as an important step in the process.
Moderator: So the general referendum process like? At present the preparation of the referendum is going on?
press; under the "referendum law" requirement, at least 18 years old native of citizens in southern Sudan are eligible to participate in the referendum. According to the organization of the referendum and the implementing agencies - the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission released data of registered voters has a total of 393 thousand people, including nearly 12 million people are registered in the northern region, in addition to about 6 million voters in the set up in eight other countries, the registration of overseas voting centers. 9 vote will start one week. Voter turnout to reach 60% of the results to be valid. After the polls close, counting will start immediately and will announce the results of the spot, the polling stations where results will be aggregated to the state, the state statistical summary of the results to Khartoum after the last referendum announced by the Referendum Commission's final results.
Currently, preparatory work has been completed voting, the voting materials required have been distributed to each polling station. The polling stations will be completed in 8 of the work posted list of voters. Can be said that a referendum be held on 9 has no suspense.
Moderator: We know that you are on the 3rd of this month arrived in the Sudanese capital Khartoum to start an interview, and now went to the southern Sudan capital of Juba. So, the two places based on your observations, how the security situation in the Sudan now? Parties to the referendum, what kind of reaction?
Reporter: According to the South in the Sudanese capital Khartoum and Juba, the capital of the observation, the current security situation in Sudan is relatively stable, good social order, the Government of Southern Sudan Government and the relevant security measures are developed, and strengthened security patrols to ensure peace and stability during the referendum.
for the upcoming referendum, the Sudanese government has shown compliance with "comprehensive peace agreement" will respect the referendum results. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir recently stressed on many occasions to schedule a referendum, and promised a referendum no matter what the outcome will be to ensure that the north and south sides of the peace and stability. The international community has attached great importance to the referendum, the European Union, the Arab League, African Union and other international organizations, civil society organizations such as the U.S. Carter Center, and the number of countries including China, will send observers to monitor the referendum. Number of observers will reach 12,000 or so. 7, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter to the international observers arrived in Khartoum, Southern Sudan Referendum Commission he was overcome difficulties to complete the preparation of appreciation and wishes to vote in a free and transparent atmosphere of success.
Moderator: Do you feel the referendum in Sudan, how the atmosphere like? Sudan to hold people for a referendum and what kind of attitude?
Reporter: Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir during his visit on the 5th of this month south of Juba, the capital of southern Sudan, called on people to support unity in the referendum. He said that reunification is the ideal choice for people in southern Sudan, and in accordance with the interests of all Sudanese people. Reporter had an interview a few days in the capital, Khartoum, found that, for the working and living in southern Sudan to the north, in such a special occasion, participants not to participate in voter registration, remain in the North or return to the South to vote, and my heart very contradictory. They have families and work in the north, they do not want to lose those. If they return to the South, probably everything will start from scratch. But they had to go back, because they feel that at this time, it should return to their homeland. In the southern capital of Juba, the voting atmosphere, a number of relatively strong, ubiquitous on the streets called on the people to vote posters, many cars are stuck in the southern region of the regional flag, the people of the South for what their fate choice, we to be seen.
host, Okay, thanks for wearing a shellfish. More attention to security, looking forward to your report back more exciting.
