Dr. Augustino Ting Mayai, Chairperson of South Sudan National Bureau of Statistics. (-)

The Chairperson of the National Bureau of Statistics suggested for a three-month extension of the transitional period, saying census will not be possible if elections are to be conducted in December 2024.

According to the Revitalized Peace Agreement, the R-TGoNU shall conduct a National Population and Housing Census before the end of the Transitional Period.

South Sudan never conducted a population census as an independent state, apart from the 2008 count, when South Sudan was still part of the Sudan.

Dr. Augustino Ting said the conduct of census takes 16 months, adding that it is not possible to produce the census results in the remaining timeline.

He also suggests for the executive arm including the President and governors among others as Members of Parliament be elected in a later date once census is conducted and constituencies demarcated.

Dr. Ting, a demographic and development specialist, also advised the government to use biometric enrolment in registering voters if elections are to be conducted in December this year.

“What I’m saying is that we were asked to see if it’s possible if we got the resources to produce census results that would then be used for December. And I made it clear that, that’s not possible even if you give me a billion dollars today,” he told Eye Radio’s Sundown Program.

“Because the arrangements related to conducting the census take an average of two years, and we just don’t have that much time left.”

“So, I made it clear that if you want the census results to inform the elections, then you would need to extend the roadmap by at least three months and give me full support in terms of resources for me to conduct the census.”

On February 13, the SPLM In Opposition suggested 24 months to complete the pending critical tasks that are prerequisites to the conduct of elections.

The document addressed to President Salva Kiir called for the implementation of the security arrangements before elections take place.

The declaration came following the SPLM/SPLA(IO) Political Bureau meeting that took place on 13th February 2024, to evaluate the prospects for conducting elections in December 2024.

The 10-page document sent to Eye Radio newsroom concur with the suggestion of the Bureau of Statistics chief, that the conduct of the population census should be carried out within 16 months before elections.

The document stated that tasks such as judiciary reforms, repatriation of refugees, and IDP settlement must be completed before elections take place.

Other tasks that the group wants to be completed before elections are the establishment of the Hybrid Court, the Reconstitution of the Independent Commission as well as free elections activities.

In a statement signed by Dr Riek Machar, the SPLM-IO calls for dialogue among the parties to the agreement to chart the way forward.

“Given the mentioned prerequisites, it’s the constitution-making process which has the longest timeline that will determine the end of the transitional period and other concurrent activities including setting the time for elections.” said the statement.

“The parties to the agreement must dialogue among themselves in order to chart the way forward to allow for the implementation of these critical activities that are extremely important for the peaceful and democratic end of the transition,” stated the statement.

Meanwhile, the SPLM and the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) have declared their readiness for elections in December 2024.