Lou Nuer chief challenges Nyadak’s Jonglei candidacy
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Eye Radio
Lou Nuer paramount chief Sultan Kuon Chothual Chan has asked the SPLM to verify Rachael Nyadak Paul’s eligibility for the Jonglei governorship candidacy, citing her family and marital ties to Warrap. He calls for an impartial review of her qualifications, voter registration and residency, according to Eye Radio.
The paramount chief of the Lou Nuer in Uror County, in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, Sultan Kuon Chothual Chan, has asked the office of the SPLM, South Sudan’s ruling party, to verify Rachael Nyadak Paul’s eligibility for the party nomination for Jonglei governor. In a letter dated 9 November and addressed to SPLM Secretary-General Akol Paul Kordit, he cites, among other things, the candidate’s family and marital ties to Gogrial East County, in neighbouring Warrap State.
Sultan Kuon Chothual Chan nevertheless acknowledges that family or marital ties to another state do not, on their own, constitute grounds for exclusion. He asks the SPLM to verify Rachael Nyadak Paul’s legal qualifications, her registration on the electoral rolls, her residency where this is a requirement, and other constitutional, electoral and party requirements.
The Lou Nuer chief also calls for a transparent and impartial review, as well as a written decision on the candidate’s eligibility. He asks that the same rules be applied to all candidates. Rachael Nyadak Paul has not yet responded to these objections.
The challenge comes as the SPLM prepares its primaries for South Sudan’s December elections. The party opened applications on 3 October and received 848 applications for its primaries on 18 October.
