The National Elections Commission (NEC) says it is technically prepared to conduct elections in South Sudan, but key decisions regarding the type and timing of the polls remain in the hands of political leaders.
Speaking during a validation workshop organized by the Standard Action Liaison Force (SALF), NEC Director General for Public Outreach Barnaba Mayor Deng said elections are a complex national process that requires coordination, time, and collective efforts from all stakeholders.
Barnaba commended civil society organizations for generating research data that helps inform the commission about citizens’ views and concerns regarding the electoral process.
He also acknowledged support from UNMISS, JICA, and other development partners assisting South Sudan’s electoral preparations.
According to Barnaba, the NEC has already developed civic education training manuals and is working with universities, faith-based institutions, women’s unions, and youth groups to conduct voter awareness campaigns in both urban and rural areas.
He further revealed that legal gaps concerning elections under the Revitalized Peace Agreement are currently being addressed by political leaders.
“The politicians are moving toward amending the law that can give us a way forward for elections. The decision rests with the politicians. For us, we are a technical institution. They will decide which election to conduct because what we know is the general election,” Barnaba said.
The remarks came as SALF unveiled findings from a nationwide electoral readiness assessment showing that although many South Sudanese are aware of elections, serious challenges remain in voter education, institutional understanding, and election preparedness.
The assessment survey was conducted with support from the European Union in partnership with AHEAD Africa, E-HORN, and the South Sudan Network for Democracy and Elections (SSUNDE).
SALF presented the findings during a one-day validation workshop attended by electoral stakeholders, including representatives from NEC, civil society organizations, peace monitors, faith-based groups, community leaders, and persons with disabilities.
Speaking during the workshop, SALF Executive Director Lony Ruot Kok said the research found that 86 percent of the 903 respondents across seven assessment locations in South Sudan are aware of the electoral process.
However, he noted that knowledge of specific electoral procedures, voter registration processes, and the mandates of electoral institutions remains limited among the public.
The Director of SSUNDE, James Okony Dau, said the promise of democratic transition under the Revitalized Peace Agreement remains alive but fragile.
He noted that the planned 2026 elections are expected to mark the country’s first democratic exercise since independence and the culmination of the transitional period.
However, James warned that security, logistical, and financial challenges continue to threaten the electoral process.
“The 2026 elections are expected to mark the culmination of the transitional period and the country’s first democratic exercise since independence. However, major challenges continue to shape the electoral process,” he said.
He cautioned that unresolved insecurity, lack of funding, and logistical constraints could make it difficult for elections to take place as planned.
Meanwhile, the European Union representative in South Sudan, Ms. Ines Narciso, stressed that electoral readiness is essential for free and fair elections.
She emphasized the role of civil society organizations in promoting voter awareness and educating citizens about their rights and responsibilities during elections.
Ms. Narciso reaffirmed the European Union’s support for South Sudan’s democratic process and encouraged authorities to address logistical and security concerns that could undermine peaceful elections.
Participants at the workshop questioned the practicality of conducting elections within the proposed timeframe and raised concerns about the country’s level of preparedness, despite the government’s insistence that elections must be held in December.
South Sudan is expected to conduct general elections in December 2026 in accordance with the 2024 roadmap endorsed by parties to the peace agreement.
