By Lodu William Odiya
The National Patriotic Movement (NPM) has endorsed its chairman, Dr. Isaa Muzamil Sebit Makelele, as the party’s presidential candidate for South Sudan’s December 2026 general elections.
The endorsement was announced during a press conference in Juba following a decision by the party’s governing council.
The party said its governing council had endorsed its chairman as the presidential candidate for the upcoming general elections.
According to the party, the Political Parties Council’s official list also identifies Dr. Isaa Muzamil as the leader of the National Patriotic Movement.
The party emphasised it would announce its candidates for other elective positions, including state governors, members of the national and state legislative assemblies, and local government positions, in the coming week.
“In the week to come, NPM will announce the candidate for the remaining position of the governor, national and state members of the parliament, and members of the local government,” the party said.
The movement also called on its members, the public, and the international community to support the electoral process as the country prepares for the December polls.
South Sudan is scheduled to hold general elections on 22 December 2026, according to the National Elections Commission (NEC).
The elections are expected to mark the end of the country’s transitional period, which was extended to February 2027 under the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
The NEC has been conducting preparations for the polls, including training State High Elections Committees and representatives from the three Administrative Areas on voter registration.
The Commission has also warned the public against circulating unverified voter-registration figures, saying registration had not yet begun as of early September.
Meanwhile, the National Legislative Assembly recently passed amendments to the National Elections Act, 2012, which were subsequently assented to by President Salva Kiir.
The amended law separates the conduct of elections from the permanent constitution-making process and national census requirements.
With political parties now selecting presidential, gubernatorial, and legislative candidates, the electoral preparations are entering a critical phase ahead of the December 22 vote.