President Salva Kiir Mayardit has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to holding general elections in December 2026, during a meeting in Juba with the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Abednego Akok Kacoul.
According to the Elections Commission, preparations are underway for the vote, including plans to announce the official election date in June 2026. The Commission also intends to begin nationwide civic education and voter registration, activities expected to be launched simultaneously as the country moves closer to the scheduled polls.
Professor Akok said the elections are expected to take place across 102 geographical constituencies covering 10 states and three administrative areas. The Commission is also working on technical issues such as constituency demarcation and logistical planning needed to organize the nationwide vote.
President Kiir told the Commission that the government would provide the necessary financial and logistical support required for the electoral process. However, questions remain about funding for the elections, as the process is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars and will likely require support from international partners alongside government resources.
The planned elections are part of the political transition outlined in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, which ended years of civil war and established a transitional unity government tasked with preparing the country for democratic polls.
Despite the preparations, the electoral environment continues to face political and security challenges. Some opposition figures and political activists remain in detention, raising concerns among civil society groups and international observers about political freedoms and the space for opposition participation ahead of the vote.
Security concerns also persist across parts of the country, where large numbers of civilians remain armed, particularly in rural communities affected by intercommunal violence and past conflict. Analysts say this could complicate election security and voter participation if disarmament and stabilization efforts are not strengthened before the polls.
The Elections Commission says its immediate focus is on civic education, voter registration, and administrative preparations, while calling on all political actors and citizens to support a peaceful and credible electoral process.
South Sudan has never held a national election since gaining independence in 2011, making the planned 2026 vote a potentially historic milestone for the country’s democratic transition.
