The United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UNIEAT) and South Sudan’s National Elections Commission (NEC) organized a workshop aimed at strengthening journalists’ understanding of the electoral process, the current legal framework, and the key requirements needed for preparations for the country’s first democratic elections since independence.
The workshop, which brought together journalists from across South Sudan, comes at a critical time as the country prepares for elections scheduled for December 2026, two months before the end of the extended transitional period.
Speakers at the event stressed that political decisions and legal clarity are equally essential for the NEC to begin urgent election-specific planning.
“Elections are not just a one-day event. They are a complex, multi-phase process requiring clear laws, operational planning, and public trust,” said Darren Nance, Principal Electoral Affairs Officer with UNIEAT. “Right now, the NEC cannot move forward with credible and realistic election planning unless urgent legal and political decisions are made.”
One of the key challenges highlighted is the delay in the constitution-making process, which is meant to guide the 2026 elections. Under the 2019 revitalized peace agreement, elections must be based on a permanent constitution developed through a broad consultative process led by the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC).
The NCRC’s work is expected to take 18 months, precisely the time remaining until the proposed election date in December 2026.
“If the constitutional process takes 18 months and we are already 18 months away from elections, then we are clearly behind schedule,” Nance warned. “Without a finalized constitution, the Elections Act cannot be amended to align with a new legal framework, leaving the NEC without operational clarity.”
In addition to legal uncertainties, the absence of updated population data also hampers election planning. The last census was conducted in 2008, before South Sudan’s independence. Although the peace agreement mandates a new census, the National Bureau of Statistics estimates it will require at least 16 months to complete.
Furthermore, the law mandates that boundary delimitation—based on updated census data—must be finalized at least 12 months before election day.
“Even if financing is provided today, planning cannot proceed until these legal and political bottlenecks are resolved,” Nance noted.
Journalists were reminded of their critical role in ensuring credible elections through accurate reporting, civic education, and combating disinformation.
“Misinformation and disinformation are everywhere today. Anyone with a phone can post something and present it as fact,” said Nance. “That’s why your work as journalists is more important than ever.”
He urged media professionals to build strong collaboration with the NEC to ensure access to timely and reliable information and to counter politically motivated rumors and false narratives.
Also speaking at the workshop, NEC Commissioner Manuel Makum provided a detailed overview of the Commission’s legal mandate, structure, and electoral responsibilities.
“The NEC is the only body legally mandated to organize and oversee elections and referendums across the Republic of South Sudan,” Makum emphasized.
He confirmed that elections are scheduled for December 2026, in line with the extended Roadmap agreed upon by peace agreement signatories.
“Elections are not an event. It is a process that requires planning, resources, and time—and it is very expensive,” Makum stressed.
He also revealed that the NEC, in collaboration with the Media Authority, will soon establish a Campaign Media Committee to oversee fair media access for all candidates and ensure political neutrality in reporting.
“During elections, every candidate and political party must be treated equally by the media,” Makum stated. “The media should not show partisan colors. Elections belong to the people of South Sudan, but the responsibility to ensure they are peaceful, credible, and inclusive lies with all of us.”
As the December 2026 elections approach, both the NEC and its international partners are calling for urgent action from South Sudan’s leadership to resolve legal uncertainties and enable meaningful progress in election preparations.