New Election Chief Vows Independent, Transparent and Credible Electoral Process

By Simon Deng

The newly appointed Chairperson of the National Election Commission, Gabriel Bol Deng, has assumed leadership of the electoral body as South Sudan prepares for elections, pledging to oversee a credible, transparent and inclusive electoral process.

Speaking at the handover ceremony in Juba, Deng affirmed the commission’s commitment to upholding its independence and impartiality while conducting the electoral process in accordance with South Sudanese law.

“The National Election Commission will remain committed to conducting an electoral process with independence, impartiality, transparency, inclusivity, professionalism, and integrity, and in accordance with the law of the Republic of South Sudan,” Deng stated.

Last week, on September 15,2026, President Salva Kiir removed Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol as Chairperson of South Sudan’s National Elections Commission (NEC), replacing him with Gabriel Bol Deng, who had been serving as the commission’s Secretary-General.

Deng acknowledged the challenging tasks and significant responsibilities associated with conducting elections, adding that he would undertake the mandate with humility, courage, conviction, and unwavering commitment.

“We don’t see the color of any political party. We only see the Republic of South Sudan, we only see and believe in the interests of our citizens, we only see national interests and we only see the interests of the Republic of South Sudan.”

The National Election Commission is an important independent constitutional institution, mandated to organize, regulate, and conduct elections throughout the Republic of South Sudan.

Bol emphasized that conducting elections requires collective and constructive engagement, cooperation, and commitment from all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, faith-based groups, and, most importantly, the citizens.

“Free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections are not only important for ending the provisional political transition but are fundamental to strengthening democratic governance in the Republic of South Sudan.”

“We will build on the work already undertaken; we will not reinvent the wheel. Rather, we will continue from where my predecessor left off. The conduct of the elections is a collective responsibility.”