The National Elections Commission (NEC) of South Sudan has warned citizens about a fake online voter registration link circulating on social media. Commissioner Hon. Josephine Achiro Fortelo stated that the Commission had not developed any website or mobile application for online voter registration. Eligible South Sudanese will be required to register in person at designated centres ahead of the December 2026 general elections. Fortelo urged citizens to disregard the circulating link and wait for the Commission's official announcement of the registration exercise.
According to Hon. Fortelo, voters will be required to visit designated registration centres in person to complete the process. This also applies to South Sudanese living abroad who may be allowed to participate in the presidential election; they will need to register physically at South Sudanese embassies in their respective countries. The Commission has not created any online link or application for people to register online. The upcoming registration exercise will be a physical process, requiring eligible citizens to go to a registration centre.
The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has expressed concerns about misleading information regarding voter registration. Executive Director Edmond Yakani stated that CEPO identified an online link inviting South Sudanese to register as voters through a platform falsely attributed to the National Elections Commission. CEPO verified the link with the Commission's leadership and confirmed it was not an official registration platform. Yakani urged citizens not to use the link.
Yakani warned that misinformation could affect several stages of the electoral process, including voter registration, identification of polling centres, voting, ballot counting, and the announcement of results. He called on the National Elections Commission to establish a fact-checking mechanism to provide accurate information and counter election-related misinformation. This mechanism would help prevent the spread of false information.
The fake online voter registration link has raised concerns about the potential for misinformation to undermine public confidence in the electoral process. CEPO and the National Elections Commission are working to address the issue and ensure that citizens have accurate information about the registration process. Citizens are advised to rely on official sources for information.
Hon. Fortelo and Yakani emphasized the importance of physical registration and the need for citizens to be cautious of fake information. The National Elections Commission will make an official announcement about the registration exercise soon. Citizens are urged to wait for this announcement and not to use the fake online link.
The National Elections Commission's warning and CEPO's concerns highlight the need for vigilance and accurate information in the electoral process. Key stakeholders are working to ensure a smooth and transparent registration process.
Key points
- The National Elections Commission will require eligible South Sudanese to register in person at designated centres.
- A fake online voter registration link has been circulating on social media, attributed to the National Elections Commission.
- The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization has called for a fact-checking mechanism to counter election-related misinformation.
