For South Sudan to hold credible elections in 2018, preparations need to have been done ahead of time, just like in Kenya, a policy analyst has said.
According to the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, the TGoNU, from its inception, is expected to address challenges of repatriation, resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction of IDPs and returnees as critical factors affecting peace-building and elections.
However, civil society groups say two years have passed, and these issues have not yet been fully addressed.
It took Kenya three years for its leaders to agree on a neutral, credible institution responsible for the conduct of the general elections.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in Kenya went through reforms, including sacking of the entire team that conducted the 2013 elections.
The verdict was reached through opposition pressure and a court ruling.
Polls opened this morning amid fears of voter names missing and skepticism of the credibility of the impending results.
So far, some polling centers have delayed to open due to faultiness of the voting machines.
On the eve of the vote, President Uhuru Kenyatta appealed for calm in a televised speech.
He urged the 19 million registered voters to turn out in great numbers, but to “do so in peace”.
The contest pits Mr Kenyatta against his long-time rival, Raila Odinga, and is seen as too close to call.
A Senior Policy Analyst at the SUDD Institute in Juba says several steps are needed for South Sudan to be able to conduct elections.
Zachariah Diing says apart from restoring peace and security, the South Sudan Elections Commission needs to develop a database of the population and constituencies.
“Obviously, 2018 is not very far. Voters are supposed to register, staff are identified and employed to do the work, the printing of voting materials or registration forms or cards,” Mr Diing told Eye Radio.
“So it’s a process that takes a lot of preparations; and in the case of South Sudan, we are noti anywhere talking about the process.”
According to Chapter I of the agreement, the National Elections Act of 2012 shall be amended to conform with the terms of the agreement, and the National Elections Commission is required to be reconstituted into a competent and impartial body.
The agreement also says the election body shall then organize Elections for President, the National Assembly, State Governors and State Assemblies 60 days prior to the end of the Transition Period.