The State High Electoral Commission (SHEC) in Jonglei State, in collaboration with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), on Wednesday held a one-day consultative meeting with civil society organizations, women’s groups, and youth in Bor.
The meeting aimed to raise awareness about the electoral process and provide updates on the current plans and activities of the National Elections Commission (NEC).
Bringing together 50 participants from various organizations, the workshop underscored the vital role of civil society in ensuring peaceful, democratic, free, and fair elections in South Sudan.
Tuor Majok, Chairperson of the State High Electoral Commission, stressed the importance of civil society engagement in electoral matters.
“It is crucial for the NEC, in collaboration with the SHEC, to update civil society organizations on the electoral process in the country,” he said. “Civil society is a strong pillar and a key stakeholder in ensuring peaceful, democratic, free, and fair elections in South Sudan.”
For her part, Nyilueth Malou Malek, a representative from the National Elections Commission in Juba, informed participants that training for electoral commission members on voter registration and security processes has already commenced. She reaffirmed the NEC’s commitment to facilitating democratic elections scheduled for December 2026.
“We are committed to ensuring free and fair elections,” she stated. “Training on voter registration and security measures is already underway to strengthen the process.”
Meanwhile, UNMISS representative Gilbert Nanisa praised the initiative, describing the workshop as an important step in restoring public confidence in South Sudan’s electoral process.
“This is a step toward restoring confidence among South Sudanese that the country will hold democratic elections. The United Nations is ready to support a peaceful election that does not fuel conflict,” he said. “However, a lot of work still lies ahead, including setting clear timelines, establishing a legal framework, securing funding, and ensuring the inclusion of all South Sudanese in the process.”
He also urged the state electoral commission to ensure that internally displaced persons (IDPs) and people living in remote areas of Jonglei State are well-informed about the electoral process.
The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss key electoral challenges and strategies to ensure inclusive and credible elections in South Sudan.