Saturday evening and night marked the beginning of the anticipated celebrations of the [favourable] results of the Southern Sudan Referendum Vote. Counting started immediately after voting officially ended Saturday evening at the same venue, i.e. the Methodist Central Hall opposite the Houses of Parliament at Westminster in London. It was a long and daunting counting process but the Referendum Commission‘s staff and representatives were undeterred and relentless in their efforts—often jovial, too. Several members of South Sudan’s diaspora in the United Kingdom (and many from other European countries) stayed throughout the evening and night to witness first-hand the counting process. Each ballot paper was clearly displayed one at a time for all those present to see before being placed in its designated pile of Secession, Unity, Unmarked or Invalid. This was to satisfy every observer present that the wh
ole process was, indeed, free, fair and transparent. As such, everyone present already knew the result before it was announced, let alone when it would be officially announced Sunday afternoon. Celebrations with cheering, dancing, singing and ululations continued throughout the night until about 2 a.m. Of the 653 registrants 640 cast their votes and 626 (i.e. 97.8 % or 98 %) voted for the secession of Southern Sudan from Sudan.Sunday afternoon saw Methodist Central Hall yet filling to the brim when a much larger crowd gathered for the official announcement of the results by officials of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission. Due credits were bestowed upon all who worked hard and diligently to facilitate the successful completion of the process. Dignitaries presen
t gave speeches, including USSP’s Spokesman, Mr Elhag Stanley-Paul, who gave a speech that moved and touched a chord with the audience, dignitaries and other party officials [see graphic and attached copy of speech]. Afterwards celebrations continued throughout the afternoon into early evening until the Hall was closed.