National ID card issue hangs over planned South Sudanese elections

Published: 12/Apr/2024
Source: Voice of America

By Sheila Ponnie

Juba, South Sudan — Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudanese residents have been working to build their country, the world’s youngest nation.

However, many citizens fear a technicality — the lack of a required National Identification Card — may block them from participating in the country’s first planned democratic elections in December.

Registration for the polls begins in less than two months.

“I don’t think they will allow those without an ID to vote,” said a young man, who asked to be identified only as Alex for safety reasons.

Alex, who is a resident of Magwi in the state of Eastern Equatoria, told VOA he has made repeated trips to the immigration offices in the capital, Juba, to get a National Identification Card.

After three failed attempts, Alex became worried he would be locked out of the upcoming election.

Read further: https://www.voanews.com/a/national-id-card-issue-hangs-over-planned-south-sudanese-elections/7568113.html

Themes: ID Documents and Passports, Voter Registration
Regions: South Sudan
Year: 2024