The National Patriotic Movement (NPM) has launched its membership registration in Lainya County, Central Equatoria State, urging residents to choose their leaders through peaceful elections rather than violence ahead of the planned December polls
The party launched the exercise over the weekend, establishing an office in Wonduruba and calling on residents to participate in the electoral process, while also advocating greater representation of women in the conflict-affected county.
Addressing residents during the launch, NPM leader Dr. Issa Muzamil Sebit Makelele said political leadership should be determined by the ballot box rather than armed force.
“We would like to inform everyone that elections are scheduled for December. South Sudanese citizens, politicians, and party leaders, including myself, have agreed that leaders must be chosen through ballots, not AK-47s.
“Whether you aspire to become president, governor, commissioner, payam director, or a member of parliament, the path to leadership is through the people’s votes, not coups or violence. This message is for everyone. Leadership should be earned through the ballot box.”
Muzamil said the upcoming elections would give citizens an opportunity to choose their representatives after more than a decade without a general election.
He urged residents to exercise their voting rights carefully and select candidates they believe can represent their interests.
“I’d like to ask everyone gathered here: Have you ever voted for the Member of Parliament who represents you? Did anyone in Wonduruba vote for a representative in Juba? Did you vote for the governor who leads you, or for the president apart from in the 2010 elections?
“If not, the upcoming elections are your opportunity to choose. You have the right to choose the candidate you want to represent you. Use your vote to make that choice.”
The membership registration launch follows the party’s full registration with South Sudan’s Political Parties Council.
In September, the NPM Governing Council endorsed Muzamil as the party’s presidential candidate for the planned December elections.
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