The National Elections Commission (NEC) of South Sudan has taken a significant step towards organizing the country's general elections in December 2026 by recruiting 22,137 election workers. This move is part of the commission's broader efforts to ensure a successful electoral process. According to Gabriel Bol Deng, chairperson of the NEC, government funding has been instrumental in advancing these preparations.
The recruited election workers will play a crucial role in various aspects of the electoral process, including civic and voter education, safeguarding voter registration materials, and overseeing the electoral process at the state level. Bol Deng highlighted that the financial support from the government has enabled the commission to make substantial progress in its preparations. This includes protecting electoral materials for voter registration and recruiting state returning officers.
Bol Deng recently attended a roundtable event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focused on democracy, media, and socialization in Africa. The event, which took place from October 26 to 27, 2026, brought together officials from various African countries to discuss electoral preparations and identify areas needing additional support. During the event, Bol Deng met with officials from the African Union Peace and Security Council to discuss South Sudan's electoral preparations.
The roundtable event provided a platform for electoral officials, media practitioners, and experts from various African nations preparing for elections to share experiences and best practices. Bol Deng emphasized that a key takeaway from the discussions was the importance of voter education and ongoing civic education to prepare citizens for participation in the electoral process. He also noted that democracy extends beyond elections and should be evident in how governments, political parties, and families make decisions.
Oyet Patrick, chairperson of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), has expressed a commitment to collaborate closely with the NEC to ensure the public receives accurate information about the electoral process. He emphasized the media's crucial role in communicating the commission's activities and informing citizens about election preparations. According to Patrick, the media is essential for the electoral commission, as it helps disseminate information to the public.
The NEC's efforts to engage with the media and other stakeholders are seen as critical in ensuring a successful electoral process. By working closely with the media, the commission aims to provide accurate and timely information to the public, thereby promoting transparency and trust in the electoral process. This collaboration is particularly important in a country like South Sudan, where the media plays a vital role in shaping public opinion and influencing the democratic process.
As the country prepares for the general elections in December 2026, the NEC's recruitment of 22,137 election workers is a significant milestone. With the support of the government and the collaboration of the media, the commission is well on its way to organizing a successful and credible electoral process. The elections are expected to be a crucial test of South Sudan's democratic institutions and its progress towards consolidating peace and stability.
Key points
- The National Elections Commission (NEC) of South Sudan has recruited 22,137 election workers in preparation for the country's general elections scheduled for December 2026.
