The poll is in line with
widely held expectations of the result of last week's plebiscite, the climax of
a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of north-south civil war. Official results
are not expected until early February.
Referendum officials
reported large votes in favor of independence — some releasing early figures,
some saying trends pointed to support of more than 90 percent — in the southern
states of Central Equatoria, Unity, Lakes, Jonglei, Warrap, Western Bahr
Al-Ghazal and Eastern Equatoria.
"From the figures we
have so far the vote is overwhelmingly for independence ... more than 90
percent across the board," said Alfred Sebit Lokuji, chairman for the
referendum committee covering Central Equatoria state, a territory that
includes the southern capital Juba.
A total of 153,839 people
voted for independence in Western Bahr Al-Ghazal state, against 7,237 for
continued unity with the north, that state's committee chairman Wol Madut Chan
said.
Western Bahr Al-Ghazal
lies on the south's border with the north, neighboring the strife-torn Darfur
region. Its figures amounted to a 95 percent vote for separation, once spoilt
and unmarked ballots were counted for.
Referendum officials in
Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria states said they were heading toward a 99 percent
vote for separation.
Michael Moyil Chol, the
chair of the referendum committee for oil-producing Unity state, which also
borders the north, said: "So far it looks like more than 80 percent are in
favor of independence."
Officials did not release
figures or give any indications in the states of Western Equatoria and Upper
Nile while no one immediately answered calls in Northern Bahr Al-Ghazal.
Referendum officials have
reported large votes for independence among groups of southerners voting in
Egypt, Kenya and Ethiopia.
Southern leaders have
urged people from the oil-producing region not to hold premature celebrations
and to wait for the final figures.
