Sudan: Kiir votes and calls for patience & security

"... indications are that turnout in the south is going to be very heavy, thus making independence of the South certain."

GoSS President Salva Kiir casting his vote in Juba today ( 09).

(January 10, Juba-Sudan, Sri Lanka Guardian) The President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, cast his vote this morning here in Juba and called on Southerners to have patience while waiting to vote, pointing out that there are seven days available for voting.

Kiir also called on the security forces throughout the region to maintain security throughout polling stations and to protect citizens, those officials responsible for the voting, monitors foreigners and Northern Sudanese in the South.

He also called on security forces in the North to do likewise in protecting Southerners.

There is so far this morning a huge contrast between polling stations in Khartoum and those in Juba. While thousands have been queuing up here, only a handful of registered Southerners in Khartoum have turned up so far.

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Explanation is that those Southerners who registered in Khartoum have either returned to the South, are on their way or are waiting for transportation back to the South for fear of violence or being denied services such as medicine.

It is early yet but indications are that turnout in the south is going to be very heavy, thus making independence of the South certain. The crowd has been so far orderly though open excitement for being able to vote at last is very evident.