A four-day induction workshop for members of South Sudan’s State High Election Committees is currently underway in Juba. The workshop, which began on Tuesday, October 8, and will conclude on Friday, October 11, 2024, is designed to equip 60 committee members with essential knowledge about the country’s electoral system.
During the workshop, participants are learning about the election timeline as per the National Elections Act, and covering key topics such as constituencies, legislative seats for state and national assemblies, and executive elections. This training is a crucial step in preparation for the country’s first national elections, scheduled for December 2026, after the transitional period was extended by two years.
Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, emphasized the importance of impartiality and professionalism in the electoral process. “We wanted to prepare and stand firm before God and before the law. Don’t stand with anybody,” Prof. Kacuol said. “You have taken an oath, and that oath is enough to guide you. The Election Commission is independent—leave politics to others and focus on your technical part of the job.”
The induction also addresses the challenges the Election Commission will face, as this will be South Sudan’s first national election since its independence.
Darren Nance, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) representative on electoral affairs, noted concerns over the delayed constitution-making process and the pending national census, which could impact the elections. Nance affirmed UNMISS’s commitment to engaging with civil society, political parties, and the media on outreach, civic education, and voter education initiatives.
“We will continue working with the Commission and directly with civil society, political parties, and the media on their vital roles in outreach and voter education,” said Nance. “We also recognize the importance of other stakeholders in the electoral process, such as observers, watchdogs, and journalists.”
South Sudan’s first national election is seen as a key step toward solidifying peace and democracy in the country.