IRI, the International Republican Institute, started a five-day training of 48 researchers that are to conduct public opinion polls in all the states of South Sudan.
The training started on Monday at Juba Civic Engagement Centre.IRI Resident Program Officer James Turitto explained that the training aimed to develop the capacity of South Sudanese to conduct public opinion researches.
He added that the pollsters will conduct 2,500 interviews across the ten states to find out top regional and state issues for policy makers and political parties to be more responsive to citizen’s priorities and needs.
Trainee Florence Konga Emmanuel said the research will help to develop education and the economy in South Sudan.
Field work research will kick off early next week and plans are underway to conduct one yearly national poll for the next two years.
Similar public opinion researches were conducted in 2011 and 2012 in the country.
IRI has extensive experience in opinion polls. It works in over 60 countries where it conducted some 150 opinion polls.