Juba, Sudan (CNN) -- Polling stations across Southern Sudan began counting Saturday ballots cast in a weeklong referendum whose result could split the country into two.
Voting ended at 6 p.m. Saturday and officials -- monitored by local and international observers -- began the long process of counting the millions of votes cast since January 9.
Nearly 4 million people were registered to vote in the referendum that will determine whether Southern Sudan should declare independence from a government based in the north. Thousands traveled by ferry or bus, some traveling for days just to participate in the historic referendum.
As the final minutes ticked down to the closing of the polls Saturday evening, a local band and church choir in Juba could be heard singing, celebrating and urging last-minute voters to cast their ballots. One song included the lyrics, "Bye, bye Khartoum," the capital of Sudan located in the northern region. CNN
