Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Political Parties Council (PPC) advised the political leadership to resolve that political parties with military affiliates should denounce allegiance to their armed wings in order to qualify them register with the council.
PPC was reconstituted under the Political Parties Act, 2012 as amended, and its role is to register, monitor, regulate, and de-register political parties in line with the 2018 peace agreement.
It also observes the conduct of political parties’ primary elections and carry out any other function as prescribed by law.
Additionally, the council may refuse an application for the registration of a political party if the name of the political party, the abbreviation of the name or the symbol amounts to obscene or offensive meaning.
It can also reject application for registration if the political party fails to comply with the requirements of the constitution and Political Party Act.
PPC Chairperson, Eng. James Akol Zakayo, speaking during a roundtable discussion at the civil society conference in Juba, said the issue is one of the concerns that need political decision of the unity government.
“We have brought on the table some concerns that need political decision. The concerns that need political decisions are we have political parties that have armed wings,” he said.
“We have asked the government to come to a common ground if those parties can denounce their allegiance to those arm wings, we can initiate the registration and then government can be continuous with reintegration, training.”
“This is what we have asked the political leadership to do decision about it. What we want is we want to prepare a fair playground for everyone, and it is up to the parties now to see what they can reach.”
He further encouraged parties aspiring to run for December 2024 general elections to register by June.
He said majority of the political parties and politicians do not provide the necessary documents required by law for registration of a political parties.
“The law says that any political party that aspires to participate in the election must register 180 days prior to election.”
“So, whoever is aspiring to participate in election must be registered before you and that was why we announced the registration in January, and we kept calling people to come and apply.”
On his part, Dr. Lam Akol, the leader of National Democratic Movement (NDM) disagreed with Zakayo’s suggestion.
Dr. Lam said the Political Parties Council has not availed the necessary tools required for the registration of political parties.
“When the political party council announces a date for registration, it means that it has the regulations, it has the forms, it has all the tablets.”
“His announcement on the 23rd of January was a political one because the day after we went to collect these things and they were not there. Even up to Friday last week and I challenge him now.”
“Let us go tomorrow and see if he has a regulation and those forms that he is talking about.”
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