The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) is set to begin its internal candidate-selection process on Monday, October 5. The party will open nominations for members seeking to contest parliamentary, state, and local positions in the upcoming general elections. This process does not include the presidential race, as President Salva Kiir Mayardit is already serving as the SPLM's presidential flag bearer.
SPLM Secretary General Akol Paul Koordit announced that nomination forms for elective positions will be available at the party's Secretariat in Juba from October 5 to 9. The positions include seats in the National Parliament, governorships, and chief administrator positions. Similar nomination forms will be distributed to states and administrative areas for members seeking positions within their respective jurisdictions.
The party will also conduct primaries for state legislative assembly seats. Koordit urged members aspiring to contest at the state level to report to their respective states and begin the nomination process. He emphasized that all aspirants must meet the party's requirements and policies, including educational qualifications, party membership, moral uprightness, and payment of nomination fees.
Following the nomination exercise, the SPLM will conduct primary elections at the county level to select candidates who will represent the party in the general elections. Koordit highlighted that the primaries will give party members at the grassroots a direct role in choosing candidates, marking a shift away from lobbying for positions at the party headquarters in Juba.
The SPLM's internal race for parliamentary, state, and local elective positions has begun, with successful candidates from the party primaries expected to proceed to the general elections. With the presidential candidacy already settled, the upcoming SPLM primaries will determine who carries the party's banner for other key positions across the country.
According to Koordit, the primaries aim to increase transparency and accountability within the party. He stated that the exercise will ensure that party members have a direct say in choosing their leaders, reducing the influence of lobbying and favoritism. This move is seen as a significant step towards democratizing the party's internal processes.
The SPLM primaries are a crucial step towards the general elections in South Sudan. The party's candidate-selection process will play a significant role in shaping the country's future leadership. As the primaries commence, party members will have the opportunity to choose their leaders and representatives, ultimately contributing to the country's democratic progress.
Key points
- The SPLM will conduct primaries for parliamentary, state, and local positions, marking a shift towards grassroots involvement in candidate selection.
- The primaries will give party members a direct role in choosing candidates, reducing the influence of lobbying and favoritism.
- The exercise aims to increase transparency and accountability within the party, contributing to South Sudan's democratic progress.
