President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan has signed the National Elections Act, 2012 (Amendment) Bill, 2026, into law, marking a significant milestone in the country's preparations for the December 2026 General Elections. According to a statement from the presidential press unit, the new law amends provisions of the principal Act to harmonize existing inconsistencies and ensure full alignment with the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 (as amended). This move is expected to establish a streamlined legal framework for the upcoming elections.
The amendment provides greater legal clarity as the country enters the final stages of preparations for the polls, said Minister of Presidential Affairs Africano Mande Gedima. The law provides clear rules for the allocation of parliamentary seats and defines the operational mandate of High Elections Committees across the States and Administrative Areas. This is expected to strengthen the structures responsible for implementing the electoral process across the country. The changes aim to ensure a smooth and transparent electoral process.
The amendment also operationalizes the delinking of elections from the permanent constitution-making process and the national population and housing census. This allows the National Elections Commission (NEC) to proceed with preparations for elections without the two processes being prerequisites. The law further provides for continuity of executive authority during the election period, allowing the incumbent president to remain in office and exercise constitutional powers until the elected president assumes office.
The amended law outlines the composition of the National Legislative Assembly, State Legislative Assemblies, and Administrative Area Legislative Councils. The National Legislative Assembly will comprise 270 members, while each State Legislative Assembly will have 58 members, and each Administrative Area Legislative Council will have 20 members. These changes aim to ensure that the legislative bodies are representative of the people and are accountable to their constituencies.
The signing of the Elections Act amendment is a significant step in South Sudan's democratic transition, providing the legal foundation required for the conduct of elections. The government has emphasized that the transition has brought South Sudan to an important moment, and the presidency believes that the next chapter should increasingly place the people of South Sudan at the center of deciding who represents them and how their country is governed.
With the legal framework taking shape and the National Elections Commission advancing preparations, the government says its focus is now on ensuring that South Sudanese citizens are able to exercise their democratic right and choose their representatives through the ballot in December 2026. The government has called on those who want to govern to prepare to seek the people's mandate and those who want to represent constituencies to engage those constituencies and prepare to seek the confidence of their citizens.
The presidency looks toward a South Sudan with a leaner government focused on services and development and a parliament that is closer and more accountable to the constituencies it represents. The elections are expected to mark a significant milestone in South Sudan's transition toward a permanent democratic and constitutional order. The country's democratic transition is expected to be peaceful and transparent, with the elections providing an opportunity for citizens to choose their leaders.
Key points
- President Salva Kiir Mayardit has assented to the National Elections Act, 2012 (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for the December 2026 General Elections.
- The amendment provides clear rules for the allocation of parliamentary seats and defines the operational mandate of High Elections Committees across the States and Administrative Areas.
- The elections are expected to mark a significant milestone in South Sudan's transition toward a permanent democratic and constitutional order.
