South Sudan's female candidates vying for EALA seats elected unopposed

[Elisabeth Janaina]

South Sudan's female candidates vying for EALA seats elected unopposed
File photo
File photo

Three female candidates vying for South Sudan’s representation to the
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) have been elected unopposed
today.

Those elected unopposed include Ann Itto, Gai Nhial Deng Nhial from
the ruling SPLM party led by President Kiir and Wudo Jeremiah Odok, an
independent candidate.

Their victory was ensured as they were lone female candidates for the post.

Voting for male contestants from different political parties including
independent candidates was adjourned until Thursday in parliament for
the country’s representatives to the East African Legislative
Assembly.

A total of 26 names have been presented to the MPs out of whom only
six will be picked tomorrow after three female MPs had already been
elected unopposed.

Majority of the contestants are from the ruling SPLM party loyal to
President Kiir.

Speaking to reporters after the sitting, Philip Jiben Ogal, deputy
head of the parliamentary committee for information said voting will
take place on Thursday after the contestants had been given a chance
for campaigning at the parliament.

In June, South Sudan’s parliament revoked the nomination of its nine
legislators nominated by President Kiir to the East African
Legislative Assembly (EALA) after court in Tanzania put an injunction
on their swearing-in due to irregularities in their nomination
process.

Reportedly, President Kiir just hand-picked EALA MPs by himself
through a presidential decree then sent them for approval by the
national parliament in March.