A South Sudan civil society organisation has called on the government to provide free nationality identification cards to people in rural areas ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for December 2026.
Wodcan Saviour, executive director of the Support Peace Initiative Development Organization (SPIDO), said many rural residents risk being excluded from voter registration because they do not possess the nationality documents required to register.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Saviour urged the government to make the identity cards more accessible, particularly for vulnerable communities facing financial hardship.
“A nationality identification card is a very important document for every citizen. However, the cost of obtaining it remains a challenge for many people, especially those living in rural areas. We are calling on the government to consider providing these documents free of charge to rural communities,” he said.
Saviour also called on the government to reduce the cost of obtaining nationality identification cards for urban residents, saying high fees continue to prevent many citizens from acquiring the documents.
He warned that citizens without proper identification could be unable to access essential public services or participate fully in national processes, including elections.
“If citizens do not have nationality cards, it becomes difficult for them to access services and participate fully in national activities, including elections. The government should ensure that no citizen is excluded because of financial challenges,” he said.
Saviour cited Uganda’s national identification system as an example, saying wider access to identity documents had helped expand participation in elections.
“We have seen in countries such as Uganda, where citizens are provided with identification documents without paying high costs. South Sudan can also consider a similar approach to ensure all citizens are included,” he said.
South Sudan is preparing to hold its first general elections since gaining independence in 2011. The polls are scheduled for December 2026 under the country’s 2018 peace agreement, although preparations have faced repeated delays and concerns over funding, security and the readiness of key electoral institutions.
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