March 28, 2024

Good news update: More Sudan referendum centers open in Australia

There are an estimated 20,000 Sudanese in my homeland of Australia – and the vast majority are refugees from southern Sudan and thus eligible to vote in the upcoming referendum on southern independence. But when polling centers opened last week, it was tough luck for any eligible Sudanese who happened to be living in say, Perth – the westernmost state capital of Australia. The registration centers were only opened in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne – three cities on the east coast. It was like saying to Californians – sure you can vote if you have the money for the 5 hour plane flight across the country. Happily, with the combination of a domestic outcry and advocacy from the International Organization of Migration, the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission has just given the go-ahead for two more voting centers to be opened. According to a report from the ABC (that’s the Australian Broadcasting Corporation), a center will open in Brisbane today and in Perth later this week. Good result.

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