By Sheila Ponnie<\/p>\n
Juba, South Sudan \u2014 Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudanese residents have been working to build their country, the world’s youngest nation.<\/p>\n
However, many citizens fear a technicality \u2014 the lack of a required National Identification Card \u2014 may block them from participating in the country’s first planned democratic elections in December.<\/p>\n
Registration for the polls begins in less than two months.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
After three failed attempts, Alex became worried he would be locked out of the upcoming election.<\/p>\n