South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The National Election Commission (NEC) on Tuesday opened the training for 60 officials in preparation for the December 2026 poll.
Abednego Akok Kacuol, Chairperson of NEC emphasized the importance of this training in equipping election committee members to perform their duties effectively, adding that they will also gain insights into South Sudan’s electoral system, which includes information on constituencies, the allocation of seats in both state and national legislative assemblies, and the process for executive elections.
“This is our first time conducting elections in South Sudan, we aim to prepare thoroughly and uphold our integrity before God and the law. It is crucial that you remain impartial,” said Kacuol during the opening of the four-day training in Juba.
“You have taken an oath, which serves as your guiding principle. The election commission operates independently; focus on your technical responsibilities, as there are numerous challenges ahead,” he added.
Kacuol asked the officials to take the training seriously, as the commission prepares for the first ever election.
“We are in a different stage, so we are going to start the work effectively, and there is a need for the National Election Commission members in the states to acquire the knowledge ahead of the election,” hedisclosed
The representative from the UN Mission in South Sudan, Darren Nance, observed that delays in the constitution-making process and the population census could impact the electoral timeline.
However, Nance expressed unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration with various essential entities for the continued success of the electoral processes.
“We place great importance on engaging actively with civil society organizations, political parties, and the media to underline the pivotal roles they play in widespread outreach, encouraging civic participation, and providing crucial education to voters,” said Nance.