Election Commission to embark on nationwide civic education ahead of poll

The Chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC) Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol on Monday revealed that his team is going to embark on a countrywide civic education campaign ahead of the general election scheduled for December 2024.
Chairperson of National Elections Commission (NEC), Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol speaks during his reception in Juba on Monday [Photo: Awan Achiek

By Awan Achiek

The Chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC) Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol on Monday revealed that his team is going to embark on a countrywide civic education campaign ahead of the general election scheduled for December 2024.

“Our priority right now is to embark on civic education to tell the masses all over South Sudan that election will be conducted,” said during his reception ceremony held at the election commission headquarter in Juba.

Akok said civic education is aimed to sensitize citizens on election process.

“The sovereignty is theirs because the voter is going to bring you to power, so they must be told that this is your chance and after they are told this, they will come to registration everywhere, eighteen years and above will be registered,” he said.

He said the campaign will educate citizens on registration and voting process.

“There are only three stages, stage one is civic education, stage two is registration of voters and then stage three is for voting,” said Akok.

“If we are serious, the government should bring resources and when there are resources, we will run elections very smoothly without any difficulty,” he disclosed.

Gabriel Gatluak Deng, Deputy Chairperson National Elections Commission stressed the need for the commission to operate independently without political interference.

 “The hope of people of South Sudan lies in this commission and for this commission to meet the aspiration of the people of South Sudan, it has to be independent and for it to be independent it starts with us the newly appointed members,” said Deng.

Deng urged political parties to desist from interfering with their work.

“The second appeal as I said early is to political parties, again though you nominated us, we appeal to you not to interfere in our work, allow us to do our work and let the people of South Sudan be the judge,” he said.

President Salva Kiir reconstituted the National Election Commission on 4th November 2023.

Under the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, the commission is mandated to prepare and conduct free, fair and credible election at the end of the current transition period.

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