South Sudan's National Elections Commission (NEC) has appointed returning officers and their assistants for all 10 states and three administrative areas ahead of the general elections scheduled for December 2026. The appointments were announced in an order signed by NEC Chairperson Gabriel Bol Deng on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. This move is part of the commission's preparations for the upcoming polls.
The NEC appointed state returning officers and their assistants for various states, including Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and Eastern Equatoria. Emmanuel Angelo Maame was named State Returning Officer for Central Equatoria State, with Jackson Micheal Bambu appointed Assistant Returning Officer. Similarly, Taban Clement Oliver was appointed State Returning Officer for Western Equatoria State, while Rita Samuel Laki Lojeng will serve as Assistant Returning Officer.
In other states, Ebadion Okano Albino was appointed State Returning Officer for Eastern Equatoria State, with Lemor William Joseph Lengor named as his assistant. Valentino Achak Deng was appointed State Returning Officer for Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, while Bol Mayuol Mayuol will serve as Assistant Returning Officer. The NEC also appointed returning officers and assistants for Warrap State, Lakes State, Jonglei State, Upper Nile State, and Unity State.
The NEC also made appointments for the three administrative areas. For Pibor Administrative Area, Maze Gain Maze was appointed Administrative Area Returning Officer, with Samuel Oman named as Assistant Returning Officer. In Ruweng Administrative Area, Chol Isaac Achuil was appointed Administrative Area Returning Officer, while Nathaniel Nyok Monyjok will serve as his assistant. Ring Monydhang Deng was appointed Administrative Area Returning Officer for Abyei Administrative Area, with Kur Alor Kur named as Assistant Returning Officer.
The appointments were made under Sections 18, 15(2)(p) and 26(1), (3) and (5) of the National Elections Act, 2012, as amended. The order takes effect from the date of its signature. The NEC is responsible for coordinating and supervising electoral activities, and returning officers will oversee voter registration, voter education, and polling arrangements.
Returning officers and their assistants will play a crucial role in the electoral process, ensuring that the polls are conducted fairly and transparently. Under the National Elections Act, returning officers are responsible for coordinating and supervising electoral activities within their respective jurisdictions on behalf of the NEC. Assistant Returning Officers will support the returning officers and may perform duties formally delegated to them in writing.
The appointment of returning officers and assistants is a significant step towards the conduct of the general elections in December 2026. The NEC has been working to prepare for the polls, and this move is expected to enhance the commission's capacity to manage the electoral process effectively. The elections are scheduled to take place in December 2026.
Key points
- The NEC has appointed returning officers and assistants for 10 states and 3 administrative areas ahead of the December 2026 polls.
- The appointments were made under the National Elections Act, 2012, as amended.
- Returning officers will oversee voter registration, voter education, and polling arrangements.
