Minister Michael Makuei Lueth speaks to Eye Radio. February 25, 2023. (File photo| Awan Moses/Eye Radio).

The national cabinet on Friday passed the National Elections Act 2012 amendment bill 2023 which provides for some representation of youth and people with special needs at the national parliament.

The bill passed during the cabinet meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir, has allocated 3% representation to youth and 2% to people with special needs at the parliament.

Information Minister, Michael Makuei said the allocation of the percentages among different denominations was one of the outstanding issues in the bill.

Makuei said after deliberation, the cabinet allocated 50% of the geographical constituencies to those intending to contest for parliamentary seat at the end of the transitional period.

He adds that 35% were allocated for women constituencies and 10% to the party list.

“Concerning the 50% of the geographical constituencies of course there is no problem it is individual constituencies, everybody will go and contest,” Makuei told reporters on Friday.

“The discussion was how will the representation be made and it was agreed that the 35% [of] women should be in accordance with the party list and the 10% party and the 3% of the youth should be according to the party list as well as 2% for people with disabilities should be the party list.”

“After thorough deliberation, the elections law was passed by the cabinet and the Minister of Justice directed to table it immediately before the transitional national legislative assembly for consideration.”

The cabinet further directed the Minister of Justice and Constitution Affair, Ruben Madol to present the amended elections law before the national legislative assembly for consideration.