By Yiep Joseph
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has engaged the Islamic Council of South Sudan as part of efforts to strengthen civic and voter education.
According to a statement from the NEC, Commission Chairperson Gabriel Bol Deng paid a courtesy visit to Sheikh Dr. Abdalla Barach at the Islamic Council of South Sudan in Juba.
The two sides discussed the role of religious leaders in preparing citizens for peaceful and responsible participation in the electoral process.
The NEC said the engagement was aimed at encouraging cooperation between the electoral body and religious institutions, particularly in educating communities about their civic rights and responsibilities and promoting tolerance during the electoral period.
“Election is a journey. And a journey needs the contribution of everybody,” the NEC quoted Bol Deng as saying, while calling for broader cooperation to prepare citizens for a peaceful, credible, and democratic election.
The Commission said the NEC Chairperson emphasised that religious leaders have an important role to play in reaching communities with messages of peace, responsible participation, and respect for the electoral process.
In response, Sheikh Dr. Abdalla Barach, according to the NEC statement, reaffirmed the Islamic Council’s willingness to cooperate with the Commission.
“The elections are the right of the people,” the NEC quoted Sheikh Dr. Abdalla as saying. “So, we are ready to work with you.”
The discussions also focused on the importance of protecting citizens’ right to choose their leaders and ensuring that political competition does not lead to violence, hostility, or incitement.
The NEC said both sides recognised the need for citizens to approach the electoral process peacefully and responsibly, with religious and community leaders playing a constructive role in encouraging dialogue and tolerance.
The meeting forms part of wider stakeholder engagement by the electoral commission as preparations for the 2026 elections continue.
The NEC has previously emphasised that it cannot conduct the electoral process alone and has called for cooperation from religious institutions, political parties, civil society, traditional leaders, and citizens.
The Commission’s official mandate includes voter and civic education, voter registration, candidate nomination, and the overall conduct and supervision of elections.
The NEC said the meeting concluded with both institutions expressing willingness to maintain dialogue and cooperation in support of peaceful democratic participation.
The engagement with the Islamic Council follows similar outreach by the NEC to other religious institutions.
On October 3, the Commission said its chairperson also met with Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla to discuss the role of the Catholic Church in promoting peace, dialogue, and responsible participation in the electoral process.