South Sudan’s National Election Commission has recruited 22,137 election workers and received government funding to support preparations for the cou...
South Sudan’s National Election Commission has recruited 22,137 election workers and received government funding to support preparations for the country’s general elections scheduled for December, an electoral official said, as the commission seeks additional logistical and financial assistance from international partners.The government has funded civic and voter education, the production of electoral materials for voter registration and the recruitment of election personnel, including state returning officers, the official said.The official made the remarks following a visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where South Sudan participated in the second edition of the Roundtable on Democracy, Media and Socialization in Africa, a forum that brought together media practitioners, electoral experts and election management bodies from across the continent.The meeting provided an opportunity for countries preparing for elections in 2026 and 2027 to exchange experiences and discuss best practices, particularly the role of the media in promoting credible and peaceful electoral processes.During the visit, the official met with African Union officials, including representatives of the AU Peace and Security Council, to discuss the commission’s preparations for the December elections and identify areas where additional support is needed.The discussions focused on the importance of sustained civic and voter education throughout the electoral cycle, including on polling day and beyond.The official said democracy should not be understood solely in terms of elections but as a broader principle that shapes governance, public decision-making and everyday life.“Democracy is not only about elections. It is a way of life,” the official said, urging South Sudanese citizens to understand and embrace democratic principles beyond voting.The African Union has pledged to support South Sudan’s electoral preparations and is making logistical arrangements to deploy electoral experts to work alongside the National Election Commission at its headquarters, the official said.The experts are expected to provide technical assistance, share best practices and support voter education as the country prepares for the polls.The African Union also expressed interest in establishing a situation room involving media representatives and religious leaders to monitor electoral developments and respond to emerging issues.The official said South Sudan was already planning to establish an observatory room that would serve a similar purpose throughout the electoral process.During the visit, the official also met with Algeria’s ambassador to the African Union, Mohamed Khaled, who expressed his country’s readiness to support South Sudan’s elections.The official said South Sudan would submit a formal request to facilitate Algeria’s proposed assistance, adding that the commission would continue working with the government, development partners and electoral stakeholders to address outstanding needs.The official urged the media to provide accurate and timely information to help citizens understand the electoral process and participate meaningfully.The National Election Commission remains committed to conducting its mandate with integrity, transparency and impartiality to help ensure credible and peaceful elections, the official said.Oyet Patrick, President of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan, said the union would work closely with the commission to ensure the public receives accurate and reliable information about the electoral process.Patrick stressed that the media plays a critical role in communicating the commission’s activities and helping citizens understand election procedures.“Media is the oxygen. Just like oxygen is to humans, media is oxygen to the Electoral Commission,” Patrick said, recalling a remark made by the commission’s chair during the Addis Ababa meeting.He said the union’s commitment extended beyond mainstream media to social media users, whom he urged to verify information before sharing it with the public.Patrick also said journalists from other African countries had expressed willingness to support election coverage in South Sudan.He cited the Kenya Union of Journalists as an example, saying it had offered to assist with communication training for election commissioners where necessary.The commitment was expressed during discussions involving the Federation of African Journalists and media leaders from across the continent, Patrick said.He added that journalists had expressed readiness to help disseminate information about South Sudan’s elections in their respective countries.Patrick said the success of the electoral process would depend on cooperation among the election commission, the media, civil society organizations, government institutions and citizens.He urged continued collaboration to ensure voters receive reliable information and can participate effectively in the December elections.
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