SUDAN / REFERENDUM COMMISSION

The Southern Sudan Referendum Commission holds a press conference saying that despite numerous challenges it faced, the Commission was able to successfully carry out the recent week-long self-determination referendum. UNMIS

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:04
• Production Date: 25 January 2011
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANCE MISSION IN SUDAN - UNMIS
• Subject Topical: PEACE AND SECURITY; REFERENDUM
• Geographic Subject: SUDAN
• MAMS Id: U110125g

Description

STORY: SUDAN / REFERENDUM COMMISSION
TRT: 1:04
SOURCE: UNMIS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ARABIC / NATS

DATELINE: 25 JANUARY 2011, KHARTOUM, SUDAN

Shotlist

1.Wide shot, cameramen and journalists
2.Med shot, journalists writing
3.Close up shot, a hand of journalists writing
4.Med shot, a woman and a man looking
5.SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohamed Ibrahim Khalil , Chairman, Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC):
“The Southern Sudan Referendum Commission was very independent and very courageous and we were cautious of any influence or pressure. We have worked conformity to the law and requirements of this historical process. So we depended on our own opinion. Hence there is no pressure exercised over us.”
6.Med shot, a cameraman
7.SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohamed Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman, Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC):
“We faced main three problems and were able to work around them - the problem of referendum act, very tight schedule and financing.”
8.Med shot, journalists

Storyline

The Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) in a press conference on Tuesday (25 January) said that despite numerous challenges it faced ahead of a historic referendum, the Commission was able to successfully carry out the January week-long referendum.

The press conference, held in Khartoum, looked back at the challenges faced ahead of the referendum which took place from 9-15 January. SSRC Chairman Mohammad Osman Al Nujoumi highlighted that despite doubts that the referendum would be held on time, the process went on as scheduled.

He added that the Commission worked independently and did not face any pressure from political forces.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammad Osman Al Nujoumi, Chairman, Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC):
“The Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) was very independent and very courageous and we were cautious of any influence or pressure. We have worked conformity to the law and requirements of this historical process. So we depended on our own opinion. Hence there is no pressure exercised over us.”

The Chairman highlighted some other challenges including the lack of funding, a tight schedule and an ambiguous referendum act.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammad Osman Al Nujoumi, Chairman of Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC):
“We faced main three problems and were able to work around them - the problem of referendum act, very tight schedule and financing.”

The SSRC and Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau are currently working on finalizing referendum results which are expected to be announced in early February.

Close to four million southern Sudanese cast their votes in the historic referendum. A 60 percent turnout threshold was required for the referendum to be validity.