Source: SPLM Today

JUBA– The Chairman of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) Cde Salva Kiir on Monday submitted to the South Sudan High Elections Committee papers for his nomination for the position of the President of the Government of South Sudan.

Chairman Kiir led a procession of thousands of senior SPLM officials, members and supporters, as he made the trip from the headquarters of the SPLM’s Southern Sector to the offices of the High Elections Committee (HEC) in Juba.

The SPLM leader rode in the back of a pickup vehicle, waving the SPLM flag and greeting supporters who lined up along the road leading to the HEC premises.

They chanted pro-SPLM slogans and others supporting Cde Kiir’s bid to run for office of the president of the Government of South Sudan.

Some in the procession carried banners and placards endorsing Kiir’s candidacy for the position.

A police band accompanied the procession, blowing trumpets to the tune of songs such as “we shall never, never surrender…”

Traditional dance groups also took up positions at strategic locations along the way and on the compound of the HEC premises.

Chairman of the South Sudan High Elections Committee Caesar Arkanjelo and member of the National Elections Commission Felista Baya were on hand to receive the SPLM leader at the HEC offices and assist with the necessary paperwork to complete the nomination process.

“We have presented our nomination papers,” Cde Kiir told a crowd of supporters shortly after completing the process, adding that the Committee, after carefully scrutinizing the papers, proceeded to certify the nomination.

The SPLM leader fulfilled all conditions needed for the nomination, including collection of the mandatory signatures.

The law requires aspirants for the position of the president of the Government of South Sudan to collect signatures of at least 10,000 registered voters from seven out of the 10 states of the South to qualify.

In fact, Cde Kiir presented signatures of over 30,000 registered voters from all the 10 states of South Sudan.

The SPLM leader also responded to reports circulating in the media regarding his status in the army.

Cde Kiir explained there was no controversy over the issue, saying he was retired from the army in July 2005 when he was appointed Vice President of the Government of South Sudan by the late Dr. John Garang De Mabior.

It’s worth mentioning that the SPLM leader shall contest as a civilian and should he win, he shall automatically become the commander-in-chief of the army in line with the constitution of South Sudan, which states that the president of GOSS shall be commander-in-chief of the army.

“The position of commander-in-chief is not a military rank,” Cde Kiir pointed out.

The SPLM Political Bureau on January 14 unanimously chose Cde Kiir as the party’s candidate for the position of the president of the Government of South Sudan in general elections scheduled for April.

Before leaving the HEC premises, Cde Kiir expressed thanks and gratitude to all supporters and well-wishers and urged all those who registered to vote to come out in full force on polling day to cast their ballots for the candidates of their choice.

Nominations for the positions of president of the republic, president of the Government of South Sudan, state governors and members of parliament for the National Assembly, South Sudan Legislative Assembly and state assemblies are scheduled to close on Jan 27.