Lakes State Trains Election Officials Ahead of South Sudan's First General Elections

The Lakes State High Elections Committee, in collaboration with the National Elections Commission and the state government, has trained 34 election officials in Rumbek. The three-day training, which concluded on Sunday, focused on voter registration procedures and preparations for the elections. The trainees included 16 county constituency returning officers and their assistants appointed by the NEC. They will play a crucial role in overseeing the electoral process in the state's eight counties.

The trained officials will further train 1,890 voter registration centre staff across the state. According to Abraham Gop Achien, a facilitator, the returning officers and their assistants will conduct the training next week. Lakes State has 270 voter registration centres, each expected to have seven staff members. The officials will be responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the voter registration process and the upcoming elections.

The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization coordinator in Lakes State, Daniel Laat Kon, urged the officials to uphold impartiality, transparency, and professionalism. He emphasized that their conduct would influence public confidence in the electoral process. Laat Kon cautioned the officials against misconduct, stressing that they must perform their duties in accordance with their training and avoid actions that could undermine the NEC's credibility.

Professor Kot Kuocnin Kuer, chairperson of the Lakes State High Elections Committee, urged the officials to prepare for their responsibilities. He warned that supervisors would visit the counties to monitor their work. Drawing on his experience during the 2010 general elections, Kuer said preparations had been rushed and election officials had faced resistance while carrying out their duties.

Kuer emphasized the importance of transparency and impartiality in the electoral process. He urged the officials to perform their duties without fear or favour, warning against personal relationships that could compromise their independence or damage the reputation of the state election committee. The officials will also play a role in training personnel recruited to work at voter registration centres.

The training is part of a historic effort to organise South Sudan's first general elections since it gained independence in 2011. The elections are a significant milestone in the country's transition to democracy. The officials' contribution will be crucial in ensuring the success of the electoral process and the credibility of the results.

The Lakes State High Elections Committee, with the support of the NEC and the state government, is working to ensure that the electoral process is free, fair, and credible. The training of election officials is a critical step in this process, and the committee is committed to ensuring that the officials are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their duties effectively.

Key points

• The training of 34 election officials in Rumbek is a crucial step in preparations for South Sudan's first general elections since independence in 2011.