To qualify for the registration citizens should be 18 years and above, holders of valid Sudanese passport and have a valid permit to leave in Kenya. Additionally citizens with a dual citizenship and resident permit allowing them to leave in Kenya will be eligible to register.

A statement published in local dailies from the embassy said that registration is opened until November 27. Registration hours are restricted to 10am to 5pm. The Sudanese embassy in Nairobi’s Ngong road area will host the registration centre.

The embassy asked all Sudanese political parties and groups of civilian community with a presence in Kenya to encourage their members to register in big numbers to enable them vote.

The elections are set for next April. AfricaNews reporter said that would be the first time South Sudanese people will be voting for a presidential candidate in a free poll.

Thousands of the country’s south live in Kenya as refugees and students while others work for aid agencies operating in their country, but with head offices in Nairobi.

Last month the Sudanese living in Kenya confronted their embassy officials at a function in Nairobi demanding their right to vote in the 2010 polls. The group threatened to invade the embassy to press for their right to take part not in the polls but also in the 2011 referendum, meant to determine the future of South Sudan.