Voter Registration Set to Begin in Coming Weeks, NEC Says

By Awan Achiek

The Chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC), Gabriel Bol Deng, announced on Tuesday that voter registration is expected to begin in the coming weeks as preparations intensify for South Sudan’s planned December elections.

Speaking after meeting with South Sudan Islamic Council on Tuesday in Juba, NEC chair Bol said continued civic and voter education will be essential to ensure citizens understand the electoral process and are adequately prepared to participate.

“In the next few weeks, we’ll do voter registration. We need civics and voter education to continue,” Bol said.

Bol called for the involvement of religious leaders in educating and mobilizing communities ahead of the registration exercise.

“We need our religious leaders to play an important role, to guide our people, to sharpen them through this new democratic transition.”

 He said religious leaders have an important role to play in guiding citizens through the country’s democratic transition and promoting peaceful participation in the electoral process.

“We are a faithful nation, and the role of religious leaders is very important. And for this reason, the National Election Commission is reaching out to all the religious leaders across the sector, so that we get our citizens ready for election.”

He emphasized the need for collective efforts among electoral institutions, religious leaders and citizens to prepare the country for peaceful, credible and democratic elections.

“Election is a journey, and a journey needs contribution of everyone. And next journey is a very important democratic journey, where our people will choose their leaders,” he said.

“And throughout our historical struggles in our society, religion plays a very important role.”

He said the commission is preparing citizens, and the country for a peaceful, credible, democratic election.

For his part, Sheik Dr. Abdalla Baraj Rual, Leader of the South Sudan Islamic Council, has pledged to work closely with the National Election Commission (NEC) to prepare citizens for the upcoming elections.

Baraj said the Islamic Council will support efforts to create an environment that enables citizens to participate in the electoral process and choose their leaders peacefully.

“The Islamic Council will work closely with the Commission in preparing the ground for the citizens to choose their leaders,” he said.

He urged South Sudanese politicians to approach the elections in a patriotic manner and ensure that the process ends peacefully.

“Our message to the politicians of South Sudan is to ensure the election is done in a patriotic manner and should end peacefully,” Baraj said.

He called for fair elections free from violence and hate speech, urging political actors and citizens to promote peace and tolerance throughout the electoral process.

“We should hold elections with one heart and one hand, without hate speech. We should hold elections with one heart and one hand, without hate speech.”