South Sudan’s National Elections Commission (NEC) has warned the government that time is running out to prepare for elections scheduled for December 2026, citing a lack of funding.
NEC Chairperson Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that, under the 2012 election law as amended in 2023, the commission is required to announce an election date and begin voter registration by June.
“Time is running out. The law requires the commission to announce the election date by June. Once the date is announced, elections must take place in December as scheduled,” Akok said, adding that parties to the peace agreement should be ready and that the government should provide funding.
Akok said the commission still needs resources to roll out voter registration, civic education, and other logistical preparations.
“We are following the electoral law, which requires us to announce the election date six months before the polls. Within that period, voter registration and other election-related activities must take place,” he said.
He warned that such activities cannot proceed without government funding.
“The commission has not yet received funding from the government. We presented the budget to parliament, and it was approved, but we are yet to receive the funds,” Akok said.
He added that elections require materials such as ballot boxes and papers, as well as other logistical arrangements.
On concerns about the 102 geographical constituencies announced in recent months, Akok said there was no need to amend the election law, though some disputes remain.
He said issues in areas including Twic, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Mayom, and Kafia Kingi would require political consensus among leaders.
“The leadership is working on issues raised in some constituencies,” he said, adding that voter registration and civic education would begin in June.
Asked about insecurity and displacement in parts of the country, Akok said the commission had formed a committee to coordinate with the interior ministry and the United Nations to provide security at polling stations and across the country during voting.
He said the commission would decide later on arrangements for internally displaced people and citizens living abroad.
Akok, who recently observed elections in Djibouti, said the process there was peaceful and offered lessons for South Sudan.
He reiterated the commission’s commitment to holding elections in December 2026, in line with a decision by parties to the 2018 peace agreement to proceed without further delay.
In December 2025, South Sudan’s presidency and cabinet approved amendments to key provisions of the peace agreement, separating the planned elections from the permanent constitution-making process, a national census, and other reforms.
The changes also removed provisions stating that the peace agreement takes precedence over the transitional constitution.
However, the peace monitoring body RJMEC has yet to approve the amendments and has repeatedly raised concerns over ceasefire violations, calling for inclusive dialogue involving all parties, including a faction led by First Vice President Riek Machar.
In February, the African Union’s ad hoc committee on South Sudan urged inclusive political dialogue, the holding of elections in December, the release of detainees including Machar, and adherence to a ceasefire.
The 2018 peace deal, signed by President Salva Kiir, Machar, and other leaders, has faced repeated delays, including missed election timelines.
and then