By Yiep Joseph and Sabri Dibaco
The Political Parties Council (PPC) has announced June 30, 2026, as the final deadline for political parties seeking to participate in South Sudan’s 2026 general elections.
In a statutory notice issued on Sunday, the council said that while the registration of political parties remains an ongoing administrative process, any political entity intending to contest in the 2026 elections must complete its registration by the specified deadline.
The directive was issued in accordance with the Political Parties Act, 2012, as amended in 2022, and the Political Parties Council Regulations, 2015, as amended in 2024.
“The registration of political parties remains a continuous and ongoing administrative process,” the notice stated.
“However, any entity intending to register as a political party specifically to participate in the 2026 general elections must complete its registration on or before the absolute deadline of June 30, 2026,” it read.
The council urged aspiring political groups to expedite the preparation and submission of their registration documents to avoid disqualification from participating in the elections.
According to the notice, the directive is issued pursuant to Sections 4, 6, 7, and 8(6)-(7) of the Political Parties Act, 2012 (as amended in 2022), as well as Chapter IV of the Political Parties Council Regulations, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
The PPC emphasised that all applications must be submitted before the close of business on June 30, 2026, to ensure compliance with the legal requirements for participation in the upcoming polls.
“The Political Parties Council hereby directs all aspiring political entities to expedite the submission of their formal applications to ensure full compliance before the deadline,” the notice said.
The announcement was signed by the Chairperson of the Political Parties Council, Eng. James Akol Zakayo.
The 2026 general elections are expected to be a key milestone in South Sudan’s democratic transition, with political parties preparing to compete for elective positions across the country.
The announcement comes as South Sudan intensifies preparations for its first general elections since the signing of the revitalised peace agreement in 2018.
The elections, currently scheduled for December 2026, are expected to mark a crucial step in the country’s transition from conflict toward democratic governance.
The Political Parties Council is responsible for regulating and overseeing political parties in the country, including their registration and compliance with the Political Parties Act.
Under the law, political parties must meet specific legal and administrative requirements before they can be recognised and allowed to participate in elections.
South Sudan’s political landscape has expanded in recent years, with dozens of political parties registered under the council.
However, some parties and civil society groups have previously raised concerns about delays in the registration process, limited political space, and the need for reforms to ensure a level playing field ahead of the polls.
The June 30 deadline is intended to provide electoral authorities with sufficient time to verify the status of participating parties and finalise preparations for the electoral process.
Political organisations that fail to complete registration by the deadline risk exclusion from the 2026 general elections.
The country’s electoral roadmap includes the completion of key transitional tasks such as constitution-making, voter registration, civic education, and the deployment of electoral institutions, all of which are considered essential for the conduct of credible and peaceful elections.