By Philip Thon Aleu
April 12, 2010 (BOR) - Voters gathered in polling stations early on Monday, the second voting day, to choose their leaders in Bor town, the capital of Jonglei State. Some voters are disappointed once told that their names are missing.
Polling officials say the voting process is slow as many voters are illiterate. But the turn-up remains impressive. Jonglei voters participate eagerly in the first multiparty election in the region since Sudan's independence in 1956. Women out-numbered men in the six polling centers, compromised of over 20 polling stations, in Bor Town Payam.
In a polling station in Malek Secondary school where 990 voters are expected 260 people voted on Sunday, the first day of polls. At the opposite station where 983 voters are anticipated only 190 people voted on Sunday. 7,913 people will cast their votes in 9 polling stations in Malek Secondary School - the center highest electorates.
In Bor Public Primary School polling center with three polling stations, 267 people voted on Sunday. Official here say few people finding their name missing. But in SSRCC office near Bor Town Power Station, a polling staff says many names are missing there. Those who never found their names were angry partly because they will not vote in the first elections of their life time. But it quite difficult to prove that one's name is missing.
"Your name may miss in this station but you can still find it in the next," a polling official said acknowledging the complexity in locating voters center to vote.
The NEC previously says votes will be cast in location of registration but abruptly merged polling centers.
The queues are lengthy. Voters are braving daily high temperatures at 45 degree Celsius. The atmosphere surrounding polling centers remain peaceful but security is beeped up as voters whose names are missing charge officials of denying them votes.