Southern Sudan has given potential voters an extra week to register for January's referendum on possible independence. The authorities said moving the deadline to 8 December would not affect the vote, scheduled for 9 January.

The referendum is a consequence of a peace deal that ended a two-decade long civil war between the north and south. But the process has been hit by several delays and there are fears rising tensions could bring new violence. Achier Deng, a member of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission, said the timeframe had been revised for "technical reasons".

"The time frame is tight, but there are days here and there that can be saved," he said.

Among other compromises, the period of time for official complaints to be made would be condensed, said officials. "We are working round the clock to make it happen on time," commission member Chan Reek Madut was quoted as saying.