The Donkey Vote

I suspect the most abused creature in Malakal is the Donkey. Hitched up to trailers carrying water, branches, reeds or other cargo, there are hundreds of these strong animals in this city. To drive a vehicle we have to be licensed but there is possibly more danger on our roads from the hazards created by the donkey carts, often whipped along by boys as young as ten, than by motorised vehicles.

Elections are scheduled in Sudan for the week beginning April 11th. People sometimes refer to the advantage enjoyed by the first-listed candidates on the ballot papers because they receive ‘the donkey votes’, the votes by unthinking people who simply vote down the page. They vote because they are compelled, in Australia, to vote, not because they have a preference to express. In this instance it is the donkey whose acumen is under question when the term ‘donkey vote’ is used. 

Some people are reputed to have sold their voter registration – worse than donkey voting! In theory, elections are a step forward in the democratic process. In practice, it appears unlikely the elections will be free and fair.

The elections may bring violence. Elections produce winners and losers. The real question is how will the candidates react after the election is over? There are ten candidates for the position of Governor of this Upper Nile State. So after the election, one will be happy and nine less than happy! 

Now there is a shortage of diesel in Malakal. We have had virtually no town power the past four [...]