South Sudan’s National Elections Commission (NEC) on Monday launched a nationwide civic and voter education campaign after the government released US$6 million to fund the exercise and announced the acquisition of a permanent headquarters, as part of preparations for the country’s planned general elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba, NEC Chairperson Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol said the commission had completed payment for the former Aida Hotel building, which will serve as its permanent headquarters.
“The payment for Aida Hotel has been completed, and it is now owned by the Election Commission of South Sudan,” Kacuol said. “This is a very big achievement for us as South Sudanese, that there is a building for the Election Commission forever. It will exist for generations to come.”
He said the acquisition marks the first time the electoral body has secured a permanent building, adding that it would strengthen the institution’s capacity and provide a stable base for operations.
According to Kacuol, the property was acquired at a total cost of US$6.5 million, of which US$4.5 million has been paid so far, while the remaining US$2 million will be settled in line with the agreement with the seller. He said ownership rights had already been transferred to the commission.
Kacuol thanked the government for supporting the purchase, saying it was a key step in strengthening the NEC’s institutional foundation.
He also announced the official launch of civic and voter education activities across all ten states and the three administrative areas, describing them as central to election preparations.
“We are here to inform the public that the Election Commission is launching civic and voter education all over the ten states of South Sudan and the three administrative areas respectively,” he said.
He said the government had recently released US$6 million to support the programme, which he described as a demonstration of commitment to holding elections in December.
“We are here to tell you that the government has decided and committed to election by availing these resources,” he said.
Kacuol said the funds would be used to implement civic and voter education programmes aimed at increasing public awareness and participation in the electoral process.
He added that civic and voter education remained among the commission’s core responsibilities, while noting that additional resources were expected in future without providing details.
The NEC chairperson said time remained a major constraint, with only a few months left before the planned polls. He urged continued government support for the electoral process.
“We are going to face only time factor which is very short for us,” he said.
He said the commission had proposed amendments to the electoral law to shorten timelines for voter registration, campaigns and other election-related activities, arguing this could make it possible to hold the vote within the available period.
“If we really amend the act, reducing some of the days, we can run the election within this short period,” he said.
On security, Kacuol said an election security committee comprising the NEC, police and United Nations representatives had been established to assess conditions across the country ahead of the polls.
He added that the commission would hold another press conference on June 22 to announce the election date and provide further details on the next stages of the electoral process.
Addressing speculation that only a presidential election might be held, he dismissed the claims, saying preparations were underway for a general election.
“Those are the rumours. But we are applying the fact that it is a general election,” he said.
The developments come amid heightened political and security tensions in the country. Parties to the 2018 peace agreement have yet to conclude amendments to the electoral law and remain divided over proposed changes to the deal, despite renewed calls from regional and international actors for dialogue to resume.
First Vice President Riek Machar, a key signatory to the 2018 peace agreement, remains in detention and is facing trial on treason charges.
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