Civil Society Coalition Seeks Transparency Over Election Commission Chairperson’s Dismissal

The National Civil Society Coalition has called for transparency over the dismissal of the reconstituted National Election Commission chairperson, questioning whether the decision followed procedures under South Sudan’s election law.

In a statement Thursday, the coalition said the dismissal came about three months before the general elections announced for December, raising concerns about the commission’s ability to organize free, fair, peaceful, credible and transparent elections.

The coalition said the reported dismissal did not provide reasons for the decision and questioned whether the procedures outlined in the National Elections Act, 2012, as amended in 2023, had been followed.

Under the law, the coalition said, a commission member, including the chairperson, may be removed on grounds including failure to attend five consecutive commission meetings, proven partiality, incompetence resulting from mental infirmity or physical incapacity, or gross misconduct.

“None of these grounds has been disclosed,” the coalition said, calling on authorities to explain the basis for the chairperson’s removal.

The group also questioned whether the National Election Commission had submitted a resolution supporting the dismissal, whether it had been approved by Parliament and whether the required consultations within the presidency had taken place.

The coalition warned that failure to clarify the process could undermine public confidence in the commission and raise questions about the legal standing of its activities before South Sudanese citizens, regional bodies and the international community.

“Each and every single action and step by the commission, for or against it, is closely watched by South Sudanese,” the statement said.

The National Civil Society Coalition is an umbrella organization of grassroots civil society networks from South Sudan’s 10 states and three administrative areas.