The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), ruling party in South Sudan says

they are ready for the upcoming elections next year.

In an interview with VOA, SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum Okiech said they were prepared to take part in the elections.

"The SPLM is ready to contest these elections, and it's offering itself, its program and manifesto to the Sudanese people, and our aim is to win the absolute majority of the vote of our people so that we form the next government at the national level, at the level of Southern Sudan and also at the state level," Amum said to VOA.

Nafie Ali Nafie, NCP senior member voiced concern that opposition parties may plot to postpone elections in hope of forging a coalition government. But the SPLM SG denies this claim and says only the NCP which has been in power for too long would be benefited by any postponement, saying "their popularity has waned."

Recently a UN panel recommended that next year's elections be moved till end of year to allow time. However, Amum said he had no knowledge of the advice.

"I have no information of the U.N. advising the government of southern Sudan. But if the U.N. has any expert opinion this should be directed to the electoral commission which is the only body that has the power to determine the day of the election or to postpone them for technical reasons," he said.

Amum said he was confident in the Electoral Commission confirmed by Sudanese Parliament in November.

"We are confident that the electoral commission, the way it has been composed, is a credible body. It's composed of very experienced statesmen, people who are known for their integrity," he said in the interview.

The SPLM professes to be fighting for a 'New Sudan' where Sudan would be a united and secular country, with church/mosque separate from state. Although SPLM is popular in the South and marginalized areas of Sudan, it remains to be seen how much appeal they have in the North.