SSNMC ready for polls despite registration hitches
Mogga Charles, the secretary for foreign affairs in South Sudan National Movement for Change party speaks during the interview with The City Review. [Jenifer James, The City Review]
The South Sudan National Movement for Change party affirmed readiness to compete in the 2024 election although it is yet to register formally with the Political Parties Council.
In an exclusive interview with The City Review on Monday, Mogga Charles, the party secretary for foreign affairs, said they had applied for registration to the Political Parties Council (PPC).
“Our first submission for the registration was November 21, 2021, and we had to submit another application in 2023, then again in 2024, so all this is a clear indication that we are set and prepared for democratic elections since South Sudan needs an election,” he said.
According to Mogga, the party met all the criteria for registration, starting with a 35 per cent representation of women and 500 minimum memberships in all the states and administrative areas.
However, Mogga complained that the fees are quite exorbitant and incomparable with any fees charged in the region.
Early this month, the Chairperson of the Political Parties’ Council James Akol claimed that around 21 political parties had applied for registration.
“We have guided them (parties), and we have given them all letters to apply thoroughly and to apply based on their needs. We expect them to return with the registration files,” said Akol.
According to Akol, if the political parties are issued with a provisional license, it lasts for 180 days and it will not be renewed if the party fails to finish registration.
“If 180 days elapse before the party finalizes registration, it will not be renewed until after 12 months. If the party wants to participate in the upcoming election, they must make sure that they register within that period because if they miss it once, they will be forced to wait 12 months again to reapply for the provisional registration.”
According to Akol, the same party cannot apply twice for the registration.
