SPLM to kick off primaries for parliamentary, state and local positions

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) is set to kick off its internal candidate-selection process on Monday, October 5, as the party opens nominations for members seeking to contest parliamentary, state and local positions in the upcoming general elections.

The process does not include the presidential race, with President Salva Kiir Mayardit already serving as the SPLM’s presidential flag bearer.

SPLM Secretary General Akol Paul Koordit said nomination forms for other elective positions will be available at the party’s Secretariat in Juba from October 5 to 9.

The positions include seats in the National Parliament, governorships and chief administrator positions. Similar nomination forms will be distributed to states and administrative areas for members seeking positions within their respective jurisdictions.

The party will also conduct primaries for state legislative assembly seats. Koordit urged members aspiring to contest at the state level to report to their respective states and begin the nomination process.

He said all aspirants must meet the party’s requirements and policies, including the required educational qualifications, party membership, moral uprightness and payment of nomination fees.

Following the nomination exercise, the SPLM will conduct primary elections at the county level to select candidates who will represent the party in the general elections.

Koordit emphasized that the primaries will give party members at the grassroots a direct role in choosing candidates, signaling a shift away from lobbying for positions at the party headquarters in Juba.

“No more lobbying for positions in Juba, leadership is back to the people to elect you,” Koordit said.

The exercise marks the start of the SPLM’s internal race for parliamentary, state and local elective positions, with successful candidates from the party primaries expected to proceed to the general elections.

With the presidential candidacy already settled, the upcoming SPLM primaries will determine who carries the party’s banner for other key positions across the country.