By Chol D. Johnson
The Central Equatoria State Civil Society Network (CESCSN) successfully conducted its first-ever election yesterday to structure its leadership.
Speaking during the program, Daniel Juma Essien, the chairperson of the electoral commission, acknowledged the voters, stressing the need for transparency throughout the process.
“This very short election process will not take long as some of the candidates are unopposed. It will be our responsibility to count the votes in front of you here,” he said.
An observer from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Civil Affairs Office, Hamda Moussa Rayale, emphasized the network’s two years of work, noting the special team representing Juba. Moussa stated she was present to support and observe a free, fair, democratic election, and transparency.
“We are looking forward to working together. This is adorable as a fair and democratic election exercised by young men and women in Central Equatoria State,” she expressed.
The key positions contested were the CESCSN Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Treasurer, and three Board Members. Thirty voters, nominated from all member organizations in Central Equatoria State, participated in the process.
The positions of Chairperson and Treasurer were unopposed, resulting in a “green ticket” of 30 votes for those candidates. The competitive races were for Deputy Chairperson, with three candidates, and Board Members, with seven candidates.
Robert Guya Antipas, Program Manager for the Talent Initiative for Development (TIDE), was elected CESCSN Chairperson. He expressed his gratitude for the trust given to him by the members.
“I’m happy on the truth given to me by the members of the CESCSN organization to lead,” he expressed, adding that he had witnessed a very peaceful and transparent process. He vowed to work hard with the team to implement his promises. “As a Civil Society organization when we go out to the community, we preach what we have already lived with,” Guya said.
Guo Josephine Sukui, Program Officer for the Women and Children Health Organization (WCHO), won the position of CESCSN Deputy Chairperson with 16 votes. She appreciated the peaceful and successful election, noting the exercise had given her courage.
“Thanks to the members of CESCSN for the support, because I really don’t expect that I will win the position,” she acknowledged.
Akon Athor Deng, Program Director for the Future of Family Planning Program, who lost the Deputy Chairperson position, expressed her commitment to supporting the newly elected team.
Athor underscored that her manifestos and effort would now be focused on developing the agenda alongside the elected leadership to help society.
“Leadership position organizes the institution and monitors the members to do work. It’s my responsibility to work hand in hand with the newly appointed leadership,” she affirmed.
Daniel Matiop, Program Coordinator for the Community Humanitarian Inter-livelihoods and Emergency Focus organization (CHIEF), praised the election as free and fair. He added a recommendation for the organizing body:
“You should involve the government official to witness the process in order not to deny them one day,” Matiop noted, suggesting government officials be invited to witness the elected body for recognition.
The election of this new leadership is a crucial democratic process for the CESCSN, demonstrating their commitment to transparent governance and effective representation of civil society organizations across Central Equatoria State. It was observed by the UNMISS representative, advocates who drafted the election constitution, and CESCSN members representing various organizations operating in the state.