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Office of the Chairman,
Khartoum

For Immediate Release
8 December 2009

PRESS STATEMENT
Regarding the urgency of passing necessary CPA legislation

Speaking to the press in his personal capacity on 8 December, the Chairman of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission, Sir Derek Plumbly, underlined the importance of the elections as a major step forward in CPA implementation and the need for all concerned to work together to ensure their success, including through the passage of legislation required before the end of the present parliament.

Sir Derek expressed grave concern at recent events, and called for restraint following the previous day’s arrests in Omdurman and the incident in Wau. Every effort must be made to ensure that the elections were free and fair and went forward peacefully. He welcomed completion of the registration process and said that AEC members looked forward to the briefing the National Electoral Commission had kindly agreed to give to the AEC on 15 December on that process.

Sir Derek underlined the particular importance of achieving the earliest possible agreement between the CPA parties on the terms of the law setting out modalities for the self determination referendum and its adoption by the present National Assembly. This was an absolute priority given the requirements of the CPA and the fact that only one year remained in which to make all the arrangements necessary for the proper conduct of the referendum.

End of statement