The Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, has praised the National Elections Commission (NEC) for its transparent and credible recruitment of returning officers and assistant returning officers ahead of South Sudan's general elections in December 2026. Yakani's organization observed the recruitment process nationwide as part of its pre-election domestic observation mission. The NEC appointed returning officers and their assistants for all 10 states and three administrative areas on November 4, 2026.
Yakani stated that the recruitment process met standards of credibility and transparency, with candidates assessed on merit through interviews. He emphasized the crucial role of returning officers in ensuring that elections are administered according to the law, including voter registration arrangements, nominations, polling, vote counting, and the declaration of results. Yakani urged the newly appointed officials to remain impartial and avoid any association with political parties.
The NEC's 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, November 4, 2026. Under the Act, returning officers coordinate and supervise electoral activities in their jurisdictions on behalf of NEC, overseeing voter registration and education, polling arrangements, and the deployment of election personnel.
Yakani expressed disappointment that none of the 13 returning officers appointed is a woman. He noted that only two women were recruited as assistant returning officers, a figure he described as falling short of the country's 35 percent affirmative action commitment for women's participation in public life. Yakani urged NEC to prioritize women in the recruitment of presiding officers and polling clerks.
Yakani encouraged qualified women to apply for electoral positions that meet the advertised qualifications. He emphasized that CEPO will observe the actions of the newly appointed officials daily, ensuring they meet the standard of impartiality required by law. Yakani's organization is committed to monitoring the electoral process to ensure its integrity.
The appointments of returning officers and assistant returning officers are part of NEC's preparations for the general elections planned for December 2026. The commission's chairperson, Gabriel Bol Deng, signed the order for the appointments. Yakani's comments reflect CEPO's commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Yakani's organization, CEPO, plays a significant role in promoting democratic governance in South Sudan. The organization's efforts to ensure the integrity of the electoral process are crucial in building trust in the country's institutions. The recruitment of returning officers and assistant returning officers is a critical step in preparing for the general elections.
Key points
- Edmund Yakani commends NEC's transparent recruitment process but criticizes lack of women in key positions.
- NEC's appointments fall short of South Sudan's 35 percent affirmative action commitment for women's participation in public life.
- Yakani urges NEC to prioritize women in the recruitment of presiding officers and polling clerks.
