President of the Government of South Sudan and President of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) Salva Kiir Mayardit casts his ballot at a polling station in Juba, the capital city of the region, April 11, 2010. Voting process started in Sudan on Sunday where Sudanese people began casting their votes to select their representative for the presidency, state governors and legislative council in first multi-party elections in the country in more than 24 years. (Xinhua) Leaders of the government of South Sudan have repeatedly warned against violence in the past period. In his recent address in Juba, Salva Kiir said "I urge everybody to go to the elections peacefully and away from violence. We will not tolerate anyone who gets involved in violence." However, observers believe elections in South Sudan still face the threats of violence, particularly in three areas. The first area is the oil-rich Unity State. The current governor of the state Taban Deng was one of the leaders of the militias which joined the SPLM before the signing of the CPA. Meanwhile, Taban Deng's contender Angelina Teng, wife of the second man in the SPLM Reik Machar, enjoys the support from a great number of people in the state. The Unity State had witnessed violence during the early stages of the elections when candidate Zakaria Paul was murdered, and Angelina has accused Taban Deng of plotting an assassination against her. The second area is the Central Equatoria State, which includes the capital city ofJuba. The state is witnessing a hot contest between its current governor and SPLM candidate Kolmont Wani and independent candidate Alfred Lado Gore, who has been dismissed from the SPLM. Gore declared at a press conference on Saturday that he would not surrender to forged results. Sudanese President Omar al- Bashir (2nd R) casts his ballot at a polling station in Khartoum, Sudan, April 11, 2010. Voting process started in Sudan on Sunday where Sudanese people began casting their votes to select their representative for the presidency, state governors and legislative council in first multi-party elections in the country in more than 24 years. (Xinhua) "We warn those who seek to forge the elections that we will not accept a forged result. Their way could lead us to what has happened inKenyaand other neighboring countries," he said.  Minister Gier had warned against violence during the election, particularly on the part of independent candidates and hinted that they (independent candidates) were planning for violent events in case they lost. However, Gore refuted that he has armed militias. "I do not have armed militias. These are rumors fabricated by the SPLM as a negative propaganda," he said, adding "I do not have weapons, but my contender has and I am afraid that he may return to war if I win." The third area is the Jonglei State. Even before the elections, tribal conflicts over cattle and land had claimed the lives of more than 200 people last year. Additionally, an independent candidate in the state who contends with the SPLM candidate General Anthony George, has many supporters. Some of them were members of the SPLM who have served under George's command during the war, not to mention the wide spread of arms among the citizens in Jonglei State. However, a leading member of the National Election Commission in South Sudan provided a different image of the electoral process in the region. He told reporters Saturday that the arrangements for the elections have been finalized, ruling out the possibility of violence during the elections. "The elections will be organized in a transparent manner in all areas and we will deal with all candidates and parties without discrimination." The elections, which started on Sunday, will constitute an opportunity for the southern Sudanese who have been longing to exercise democracy.     Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir casts his ballot at a polling station in Khartoum April 11, 2010.  Source:xinhua