Political parties are divided over when to hold the next general elections.

Some say the elections should be held when the country is in peace and others say elections should be held before July next year to preserve legitimacy of the government.

Eighteen political parties have petitioned the National Elections Commission not to conduct the elections next year.

They say that without peace, the elections will not be free and fair.

The petition was presented today by the chairperson of the United Democratic Party, Steward Soroba.

“Our priority is that the government must work very hard to bring peace because we are after the government. The government together with the opposition must agree on peace and nothing can be done in this country when there is no stability.” He said.

However, another group of eleven political parties is concerned that if elections are not held within the next seven months, the government will be illegitimate.

The chairman of the United Sudan African Party, Joseph Ukel, says there could be more crises in the country if there is no legitimate government.

“Now, our view is that we want election, because the legitimacy of the current government will end by July. Then if we don’t carry out elections then people will come out and say why Salva Kiir is talking about legitimacy? His term has finished. Then we will come to be called people who have no government.” Ukel said.

These will be the first general elections since independence in July 2011.