By Sabri Dibaco
South Sudan’s National Elections Commission (NEC) has presented the voter registration book and other electoral forms to President Salva Kiir Mayardit, as preparations continue for the country’s planned December 22 general elections.
NEC Chairperson Gabriel Bol Deng Majok said the registration materials contain security features intended to protect the voter registration process from fraudulent reproduction, duplication, and other forms of manipulation.
He said the measures are designed to strengthen the integrity of the voter register and ensure that eligible citizens are accurately captured in the electoral process.
“These measures are intended to protect the voter registration form from fraudulent production and other forms of manipulation,” Bol Deng said in a statement.
The NEC chairperson also called for transparency, inclusion, and accuracy throughout the voter registration exercise, saying these principles are essential to a credible electoral process.
“We call for transparency, inclusion, and an accurate registration process so that every eligible South Sudanese can participate in the elections,” he said.
The presentation comes as the NEC moves to complete preparations for voter registration ahead of the December polls.
The Commission previously approved the official voter registration book, which will be used to record eligible voters and their registration details.
President Salva Kiir, on his part, urged the National Elections Commission to maintain momentum and complete the remaining preparations according to schedule.
“I call upon the National Elections Commission to maintain the momentum and complete the remaining preparations on schedule,” President Kiir said in a statement as seen.
The president’s call comes with the electoral body working under a tight timetable ahead of the December 22 election date.
South Sudan became independent from Sudan in July 2011. Since independence, the country has not held a national election in which citizens elect their national leaders through a post-independence general election.
The planned December 2026 polls are therefore expected to be the first national elections since independence.
The elections have been repeatedly postponed since independence amid delays in implementing the peace agreement and completing key electoral preparations.
The current electoral timetable sets December 22, 2026, as the date for the general elections.
The NEC says voter registration materials will be deployed to registration centres as preparations are completed, with the registration exercise expected to form a critical part of the remaining electoral preparations.