The man at the helm of South Sudan’s National Elections Commission (NEC), Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol, has said not holding a national population census and not demarcating constituency boundaries will not affect the conduct and results of elections slated for December 2024. He said his body will simply use the old constituency boundaries and take at least six months to register voters countrywide.
During an exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, the NEC chairperson also said, among other salient points, that free, fair, and transparent elections necessitate the availability of funds and timely preparations.
Below are edited excerpts:
Q: How is the National Elections Commission (NEC) preparing for the upcoming general elections in December 2024?
A: As the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, we are waiting for the National Elections Act, 2012 (Amendment) Bill, 2023 to be passed by parliament and for the appointment of new members in the commission, then the preparations for the general elections 2024 can start. We are working on these preparations with Cabinet Affairs Minister Martin Elia Lomuro and the Joint Task Force. Two months ago, I also presented the draft budget for the elections. The budget will be tabled before the cabinet.
Secondly, we have also prepared the election timeline, but the Elections Act has not been passed yet. If the parliament passes the Act by September 2023 and if the budget has been approved and the Elections Commission established, then we will be ready for the elections.
Q: If the National Elections Act is not passed by September, what then?
A: This will not have a major impact but the earlier it is passed the better so that we can have time for two important things; which are civic education and voter registration. Civic education is very important so that we can sensitize the people about their right to vote. Secondly, we want to start the process of voter registration. This will take six months before we announce the final lists of voters.
Q: The national census has not been done and constituency boundaries are not mapped. Will this not affect your work and the integrity of the elections?
A: No, this will not affect the election process. We already have a foundation, the old constituencies which were used to choose the current parliament. We have to conduct the elections so that the people can elect their government and parliament which will then pass the permanent constitution and conduct a national census.
Q: On what basis will voter registration be if there is no national census?
A: It will be based on the old constituencies before independence which are being used in the parliament right now. Once the new government and parliament are elected, they will conduct a new national census.
Q: Some parties to the revitalized peace agreement oppose this idea and say that if there is no national census and redrawing of the constituencies, then the elections will not take place, or if they do, they will not be fair and transparent. What is your comment?
A: If the government and the parties to the agreement say elections must take place, then it will happen because it will be a government elected by the people. The current government is transitional.
It is also possible that the parties may agree to postpone the elections until a national census is done and the permanent constitution process is complete. However, the people and other political parties want to participate in the government, and the elections are the only way for them to do so.
Q: Do you think the allocated budget is enough to hold the elections?
A: As the chairperson of the National Elections Commission, I can comment on certain things, and on other things, I cannot. For instance, if the parties want to hold elections, the time is there. However, the government and the parliament have the authority, and if they agree to postpone the elections that is fine.
Q: If the elections will happen in December 2024, what is the status of the South Sudanese internally displaced and the refugees in the neighboring countries? Will they be able to vote?
A: This will require studies and consultations with the stakeholders of the Commission. If they agree, we can register the refugees in the neighboring countries.
Q: Do you think NEC can conduct free, fair, and transparent elections given these challenges?
A: I say that the elections must be fair and transparent because the reputation of South Sudan abroad is not good. I want to see that this is changed through having fair and transparent elections and I think this is possible. I have observed elections in Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda where I noticed how important early preparation for elections is.
Q: There are concerns that the SPLM led by President Salva Kiir is certain of their win or will rig in the upcoming elections. What is your comment?
A: I earlier mentioned two important things which were civic education and voter registration. The sensitization of people about their right to register and vote is crucial. For example, if you are from Upper Nile, then you register in your constituency and vote for the person you want. There is a lack of public awareness, which is why we must sensitize the people that there are elections and that they can vote freely to elect their government.
Q: As a Chairperson of the NEC, do you think the elections will be held in December 2024?
A: There are two important things namely neutrality and independence and there is government and opposition. Personally, as a South Sudanese, I think the only way out is elections. Let everyone give their vote to the person they think will serve them best.
Q: When will the current National Election Commission be dissolved?
A: Some legal procedures are still underway. First is the amendment of the National Election Act. Once the parliament passes it, the parties will sit down and decide on the formation of the elections commission. We hope it will be passed this month.
Q: Do we expect Abednego Akok to be reappointed as the NEC chairperson”
A: Positions are not permanent. If I am removed from my position, I will accept it. I am a lecturer at the University of Juba and I can still contribute to the democratic process in the country through the academic field.
In 2008, I published a book about the implementation of the federal system of governance where I talked about political participation through elections. So, I will accept my removal from the position, and I will not be upset about it.
Q. As we conclude this interview, what is your final message?
A: I have three messages to our people and those in power. Firstly, there is a need for political will, and the political parties and the current government must agree to hold the elections.
Secondly, the elections need resources so that NEC can prepare well for the elections.
Lastly, security and stability must be ensured so that people can go and vote freely.