Authorities in Western Equatoria State on Tuesday launched a civic and voter education campaign as part of nationwide preparations for the planned Dec. 22, 2026 general elections.
The campaign, led by the Western Equatoria State High Elections Committee, aims to educate residents on voter registration, voting procedures and their constitutional right to elect leaders. It follows the National Elections Commission’s nationwide launch of the civic and voter education campaign in Juba last week.
Speaking at the launch in Yambio, Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa said the programme marked an important step toward ensuring citizens were informed and able to participate meaningfully in the electoral process.
He said the state government would work with security agencies and the National Elections Commission to maintain a peaceful environment throughout the election period.
“The government remains committed to guaranteeing the safety of voter educators, election officials, polling stations and all citizens participating in the electoral process,” Rimbasa said.
The governor said Western Equatoria was ready to support the elections by providing the security and stability needed for peaceful voting.
“Our commitment remains firm. Elections must take place, and Western Equatoria will do everything possible to ensure they are conducted peacefully, freely and securely,” he added.
Simon Bakaba Monday, chairperson of the Western Equatoria State High Elections Committee, said the launch marked the beginning of civic and voter education activities across the state after technical challenges delayed the rollout.
“Today we are pleased to officially launch civic and voter education in Western Equatoria State,” he said. “We appreciate the commitment shown by the governor, government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, women, youth, persons with disabilities and other stakeholders to support this important process.”
Bakaba said cooperation among stakeholders would be critical to ensuring peaceful, credible, free, fair and inclusive elections.
Wanga Emmanuel, chairperson of the Western Equatoria State Civil Society Network, welcomed the launch and urged the national government to provide adequate funding and logistical support to the National Elections Commission, saying little time remained before the scheduled vote.
“The people have made it clear that they do not want any further extension of the electoral timeline. They want elections to be held as scheduled,” Emmanuel said.
He also called for adequate security for election officials, civic educators, voters and other participants throughout the electoral process, saying peaceful and credible elections would strengthen democracy and enable South Sudanese to choose their leaders through the ballot box.
South Sudan is due to hold its first general elections since gaining independence in 2011 on Dec. 22, after repeated postponements caused by conflict and delays in implementing the country’s 2018 peace agreement.
and then