Community Ballot in Abinajok
Over two days of calm balloting, residents of Abinajok payam in Rumbek Central County selected their new paramount chief, marking the first vote since the payam’s creation earlier this year.
Sultan Malok Malual Malok secured 1,433 of 2,265 ballots, translating to 63.3 percent, unseating long-time chief Sultan Lueth Marial Buoc, who obtained 832 votes, or 36.7 percent.
Legal Framework and Oversight
The Lakes State electoral committee supervised the poll under the Local Government Act 2009, with judges on site to ensure compliance. Chairperson Akec Machek emphasised that statutory guidance underpins every chieftaincy contest.
Governor Rin Tueny Mabor’s earlier decree establishing Abinajok payam granted citizens the right to choose their leadership, reinforcing the act’s vision of blending traditional authority with formal governance.
Logistical Hurdles Highlighted
Monitors acknowledged organisational strains. Daniel Laat Kon of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization noted compressed timelines, high candidacy fees—pegged at five million South Sudanese pounds—and the open queue voting system as potential flashpoints.
He recommended future ballots be scheduled outside December festivities to allow exhaustive preparation and to soften economic pressure on aspirants and voters alike.
Voices from the Ground
Community intellectual Peter Maliap Chieny praised the exercise as “free, fair and transparent,” arguing that unity trumped competition throughout the process.
Voter Liap Makoi Makuec expressed confidence that the chief’s mandate would “accelerate development and progress,” while County Commissioner Dut Manak vowed swift action against anyone fomenting post-election discord.
Role of Chiefs in South Sudan
Paramount chiefs wield considerable influence, mediating local disputes, safeguarding customary law and liaising between rural citizens and Juba’s institutions. Their societal weight often complements, rather than challenges, formal administration.
By recognising chiefs through statute, the 2009 act institutionalises this hybrid governance model, allowing communities such as Abinajok to chart their affairs within a nationally sanctioned framework.
Looking Ahead
For many residents, the orderly transition signals an opportunity to advance reconciliation and local development, setting a precedent other payams in Lakes State may study as electoral cycles continue.