South Sudan’s National Elections Commission has delivered election assets, including a Land Cruiser Hardtop vehicle, to Western Bahr el-Ghazal state as preparations begin for the December 2026 polls.
The elections, scheduled for December 2026 after an extension of the transitional period under the 2018 peace agreement, face skepticism from observers due to ongoing insecurity and political tensions.
President Salva Kiir and his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar—detained since March—have yet to resume dialogue, raising concerns over the feasibility of the vote as planned.
Arkangelo Udo Agany, chairperson of the state’s High Electoral Commission, told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that the office had received training materials, furniture, and a solar panel system from the National Electoral Commission and the Community Aid Relief and Development Organization (CARDO).
“I have received a new car from the high election commission in Juba, and it is with us in the office. We also received laptop bags, jackets, and notebooks,” Agany said.
Since his appointment in July 2023, Agany said staff had undergone election training in Japan and Uganda. “After the appointment, there was training in Japan and Uganda for elections in Africa. From there, the high elections commissioner in Juba established offices in the states,” he said.
“There was no single state election office, but now we have [one]. We are currently seeking other needs from our partners, including CARDO. We have received some equipment, and they are right now working on arrangements.”
Two staff members are currently in Juba for training before returning to conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) programs in the state.
Agany acknowledged financial challenges, stating that funding remains a critical hurdle. However, he assured the public that elections would proceed as planned, with voter awareness campaigns set to begin next month.