GOVERNMENT OF SOUTHERN SUDAN
SUDAN CONSORTIUM
“SUSTAINING PEACE THROUGH DEVELOPMENT”
5TH-7TH MAY 2008; OSLO, NORWAY
Pre-Consortium Session:
Planning for National Elections in Southern Sudan
LUKA BIONG DENG
Office of the President
MINISTER OF PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS
1. CPA and Democratic Transformation
CPA provides a framework for a democratic transformation in
Sudan based on the values of justice, equality, democracy and
human rights .
 CPA provides a new basis for the relationship between
government and its people.
 CPA reaffirms the sovereign authority of state rests with people.
 CPA recognizes the current interim power sharing is to be
subjected to the will of people through a transparent and fair
general elections by 2009.
 CPA makes unity of Sudan to be based on free will of its people
– referendum of the right of self determination, referendum for
people of Abyei area, popular consultation for people of Nuba
Mountains and Blue Nile.
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2. CPA and General Elections
General elections to be conducted by the end
of the fourth year of Interim Period – this
implies the first quarter of 2009.
 Fair, transparent and inclusive general elections
(independent electoral commission,
independent national and external monitors)
 Elections conducted with clear legal framework
(new national electoral law, respect of bill of
rights, national security law and media law).
 Census results as prerequisite for elections
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3. Elections: Gaps and Challenges
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National Election Bill with Presidency (electoral collage
(national vs. state), proportional representation (40%
vs. 60% including 25% for women)).
Experience of population census (funding, logistics
and infrastructure, accessibility, publicity, advocacy,
civic and voter education).
Number of decisions, level of literacy and limited
experience in elections.
Census results to be acceptable
Timing for general elections is so limited
Kenya and Zimbabwe experience in general elections.
4. Elections: Planning and Preparations
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Political commitment to conduct general elections as
per the provisions of the CPA.
National Elections Bill to be finalized and presented to
the National Legislature.
Establishment of National Electoral Commission and
other electoral bodies as per the law.
Assessment of current conditions and gaps in capacity,
infrastructure, timelines, public outreach, human
resource and logistical preparations for general
elections.
Mobilization of resources and funding (next
Consortium to focus on general elections).
5. Elections Preparation in Southern Sudan
Census experience (planning, UNMIS, timing, logistics,
security, awareness and publicity, human resource,
coordination with different levels of government).
 GoSS/UN Joint Assessment Mission to assess and cost
the elections operational requirements in Southern
Sudan.
 The Assessment will review the previous election
operations in Southern Sudan and field assessment in
terms of infrastructure, accessibility and transport
requirements, communications, facilities, personnel,
public outreach campaigns, basic security and costing.
 Institutional and capacity building in elections and
election fund raising for political parties (GoNU, NDI
and IRI programmes)
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6. Conclusion
Prior to the formation of National Electoral
Commission, we may need to consider to set
up a joint election assessment team (GoNU,
GoSS, Donors and UNMIS).
 Support of GoSS/UN Joint Election Assessment
Mission.
 As funding of general elections is the primary
responsibility of GoNU, it is necessary a
comprehensive costing of all elections
operations to be prepared for possible funding
by donors.
 Support civil society and national NGOs to start
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