The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) delegation of South Sudan was today hosted by the NRM officials in two separate meetings as part of their benchmarking tour to improve the operation of the ruling party back home.
The team led by the party's Secretary for External Relations, Comrade Bol Makueng Youl, was earlier this morning received by the NRM Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi, at the Commission's offices at plot 13 Kyadondo Road, Nakasero.
Dr. Tanga, who was accompanied by the commission's Vice Chairman Hon. Arimpa Kigyagi, Hon. Jane Alisemera, the, EC Commissioner, and Counsel Enoch Barata, the Director for Legal Affairs, told the SPLM leaders to consider establishing a strong electoral commission to enhance internal democracy by conducting free and fair primary elections.
"We have discussed how the SPLM can learn from the NRM to organize and manage a massive election exercise that has over 5 million leaders. We discussed the commission's structural composition from the Secretariat up to the grassroot," Tanga said.
"Because unfair primary elections breed violence among members of the party, which also spills over during the final elections, which leads to instability in the country," Tanga said.
Tanga said that as a young democracy, SPLM found it fit to consult with the NRM on many things to ensure their election is a success.
Later, the visiting guests paid a courtesy call to the Director of Communication, Hon. Emmanuel Dombo.
In an interaction, Dombo advised the SPLM leaders to prioritise publicity and information to the party members and the general public to counter fake news and propaganda.
"You will need to establish a working good relationship with the mainstream media to ensure that your position and opinions are rightly captured for publication," Dombo said.
He also underscored the role of the social media in mobilisation of support, especially among the elites and the young people who relay on the unconventional means for information.
Comrade Bol Makueng commended the NRM for being a good brother and neighbour.
"We have learnt and we continue to learn a lot from the NRM and the government on how public matters are conducted," Bol said.
The NRM Secretariat leaders on Saturday sealed a deal with the SPLM officials to start ideological training of the cadres from the South Sudanese ruling party.