Activist warns against politicizing election commission

By Benjamin Takpiny

The Executive Director for the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani has cautioned political parties in the country to avoid politicizing the function of the National Election Commission (NEC) that was recently reconstituted.

“Our pre-elections domestic observation findings are demonstrating serious concerns that are centered on emerging political attitudes and culture that may undermine the spirit of free, fair, credible, safe and peaceful election,” said Yakani during the release of the 1st Election Domestic Observation Report in Juba on Tuesday.

South Sudan is due for election at the end of the current transition period in December 2024.

Yakani warned political actors to move carefully as to not antagonize the credibility of the National Election Commission whose members were sworn in on Monday.

“South Sudan political parties need to be careful of the early act on politicizing the function of the National Election Commission. The act of early politicization of NEC by parties is dangerous and it will cause the public to undermine the credibility of the National Election Commission,” he said.

He called on the leadership of the National Election Commission to sincerely and honestly commit to observe the principles of impartiality, non-partisanship and also demonstrate independence from political interference.

Yakani urged the members and leadership of the reconstituted NEC to avoid acting partizan while administering the affairs of the commission.

He urged politicians to create enabling environment for the conduct of the elections in December 2024.

“Without proper political leadership consensus for the conduct of the elections, chances of having violent elections especially at state level is higher,” said Yakani.

Yakani urged the political leadership to urgently allocate adequate funds to enable smooth operation of the National Election Commission, Political Parties Council (PPC) and the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC).

“Inadequate or low financing of the electoral process will create moment for undermining the credibility and reliability of the process,” he said, adding that delay in operationalization of NEC may disrupt preparation for election.

“Incidences of the violation of civic space, how small scale it is like surveillance on civic and political space, still do impact negatively on the public trust and confidence on the credibility of the electoral process,” said Yakani.

He noted that continuous restriction on freedom of association, assembly, movement and campaign for all political parties will have negative implication on the credibility of the upcoming poll.

Yakani said the first domestic election observation report offers an opportunity for the political leadership, political parties and the citizens to rectify things before elections are held.

He said that the presidency needs to provide timely and genuine financing to the NEC, NCRC and PPC including speeding up implementation of the security arrangement to guarantee peaceful election.