The United Sudan African Party (USAP) has urged the reconstitution of South Sudan's National Elections Commission (NEC) and Political Parties Council (PPC) through an inclusive process. This call was made by Bullen Isaiah Kulang Mabor, USAP secretary for legal affairs, during the Inter-Party Dialogue on election-related matters in Juba. The dialogue, launched by President Salva Kiir on September 24, aims to discuss election-related issues and build consensus ahead of the scheduled December 22 elections.
The Inter-Party Dialogue brings together Juba-based political parties and national stakeholders to address key concerns. At its opening, President Kiir emphasized that the dialogue should focus on election-related matters to establish a common path towards peaceful and credible elections. This dialogue comes after Kiir removed Abednego Akok Kacuol as chairperson of the NEC and appointed Gabriel Bol Deng Majok, the former secretary-general, to replace him.
USAP stresses that an independent and impartial electoral commission is crucial for ensuring equal treatment of political parties and candidates. The party calls for clear procedures covering voter registration, nominations, and the resolution of electoral disputes. Additionally, USAP urges the NEC to ensure transparent voter registration, particularly for internally displaced people, returnees, refugees, women, young people, and people with disabilities.
The party also advocates for equal political space for all recognized political parties, including access to public rallies, media, and campaign activities. USAP further calls for international observers to monitor the electoral process from voter registration to the announcement of results. According to Bullen, electoral disputes should be resolved through legal mechanisms, with political parties given access to procedures for lodging complaints and appeals.
USAP emphasizes that the elections should be part of the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, not a substitute for it. The party believes that the remaining provisions of the peace agreement should continue to be implemented after the elections. USAP also calls for the permanent constitution-making process to continue and for a clear timetable to be established for conducting a national population and housing census.
The party advocates for inclusive participation in the electoral process, urging authorities to ensure that South Sudanese displaced by conflict can participate. USAP stresses that the credibility of the elections depends on the conduct of the entire electoral process, including voter registration, political participation, security, and the resolution of disputes. The party supports peaceful, inclusive, transparent, and credible elections conducted under a clear legal framework and with impartial electoral administration.
The NEC is currently preparing for the December 22 elections, which aim to mark the end of South Sudan's prolonged transitional period. The country has repeatedly postponed national elections since gaining independence in 2011. The Inter-Party Dialogue continues in Juba as political parties and stakeholders discuss outstanding election-related issues ahead of the December vote.
Key points
- USAP calls for reconstitution of NEC and PPC through inclusive process
- Party advocates for independent and impartial electoral commission
- Elections should be part of implementation of 2018 peace agreement
