The National Elections Commission (NEC) of South Sudan has identified 3,161 planned voter registration centres across the country. This move is part of the preparations for the December 2026 general elections. According to the commission, 22,127 personnel are expected to be deployed to support the nationwide exercise. Each registration centre will be staffed by seven personnel.
The NEC has prepared 82,962 registration books for the exercise. The commission's Chairperson, Gabriel Bol Deng, made the announcement during the closing of a two-day induction training for returning officers in Juba on Sunday, November 8. Bol urged the 26 returning officers to strengthen coordination, teamwork, and accountability as preparations for the elections continue.
Bol also called on the returning officers to mobilise eligible voters and ensure that registration centres are accessible to citizens in their respective areas. The commission pledged to provide support, including internet services, following concerns raised by participants over transport, equipment, accommodation, medical services, and security.
The training was conducted under Constitutional Amendment No. 13 and the National Elections Act 2012, as amended in 2026. The officers are expected to return to their respective areas on Monday to continue preparations for voter registration. South Sudan is scheduled to hold its first general elections since independence on December 22, 2026.
The NEC has already started distributing election materials to different parts of the country. On November 2, the commission delivered the first batch of materials to the Central Equatoria State High Elections Committee. Reports on November 5 indicated that more than 13,000 registration books had been distributed to five areas: Unity State, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Greater Pibor, Ruweng, and Abyei.
Meanwhile, the commission has warned the public against a fake online voter registration link circulating on social media. NEC Commissioner Josephine Achiro Fortelo said the commission had not developed any website or mobile application for online voter registration. Eligible citizens must register physically at designated centres, she clarified.
Fortelo also said the commission had not yet decided whether South Sudanese living abroad would be allowed to participate in the elections. The NEC's efforts aim to ensure a smooth voter registration process and ultimately, a successful general election in December 2026.
Key points
- The National Elections Commission of South Sudan has identified 3,161 voter registration centres ahead of the December 2026 general elections.
- 22,127 personnel are expected to be deployed to support the nationwide voter registration exercise.
- The commission has warned against a fake online voter registration link circulating on social media.
