Government officials, election stakeholders and international partners on Monday rallied behind South Sudan’s electoral process, calling for peaceful participation as the National Elections Commission (NEC) launched a nationwide civic and voter education campaign ahead of the 22 December General Elections.
The campaign aims to educate eligible voters on their electoral rights and responsibilities, voter registration procedures, voting processes and the importance of participating in democratic governance. The initiative will be implemented nationwide through partnerships with civil society organizations, political parties, faith-based institutions, traditional leaders and the media.
Launching the campaign in Juba, NEC Chairperson Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol said the exercise marks a critical step in preparing citizens to participate in South Sudan’s first general elections since independence.
“Today marks an important start in empowering South Sudanese citizens to participate peacefully and meaningfully in shaping the future of our nation,” he said. “Today, we formally launch the National Election Civic and Voter Education Campaign. It is not a campaign for any political party, individual leader, region or community. It belongs to every citizen.”
Prof. Akok said the campaign will provide citizens with accurate information on voter eligibility, voter registration, voting procedures, ballot secrecy and the rights and responsibilities of voters.
He said the commission will pay particular attention to women, young people, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups to ensure that no eligible voter is excluded from the electoral process.
Vice President James Wani Igga called on South Sudanese to register and participate peacefully in the elections, saying a credible voter register is the foundation of a free and fair vote.
“An accurate voter register promotes transparency, strengthens public confidence, reduces disputes and contributes to peaceful, credible elections,” he said. “Let us choose facts over rumours. Let us choose unity over division. Let us choose peace above all because every one of us has a role to play in ensuring credible elections.”
Representing the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Principal Electoral Affairs Officer Darren Nance said informed and engaged citizens are central to credible elections.
“A credible election begins with informed and engaged citizens,” he stated. “Dialogue is better than war. Trust in the electoral process.”
He said the government, political parties, civil society, the media and citizens all have responsibilities to help create an inclusive environment for peaceful and credible elections, while stressing the need for political consensus, legal reforms and adequate funding for the electoral process.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede, Chief of Staff of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC), described civic and voter education as a cornerstone of democratic participation.
“Civic and voter education is far more than a technical electoral activity. It is a fundamental pillar of democratic participation,” he said.
He urged authorities to ensure that women, youth, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, returnees and communities in remote areas have equal access to voter education and electoral information.
Central Equatoria State Deputy Governor Paulino Lokudu Obede said the campaign represents a turning point in South Sudan’s democratic journey after years of conflict and delayed elections.
“Today, after 16 years, we are laying the foundation for democratic transformation. Our people will have the right to choose leaders of their own choice,” he said. “We are fully committed to ensuring that civic education is embraced by our people through mobilization, logistics and every support required at the state level.”
South Sudan’s general elections are scheduled for 22 December 2026 under the roadmap for implementing the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. If held as planned, they will be the country’s first general elections since it gained independence in 2011.
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