Dr. Lam Akol, member of South Sudan Opposition Alliance | File Photo

The High Court in Juba has accepted an appeal made by the eighteen political parties to reschedule the next general elections.

South Sudan Electoral Commission says the polls will be conducted in June.

But the political parties want the elections to be held after peace is achieved.

The acceptance of the petition means that the court will invite government lawyers to respond to the case.

The parties have welcomed the decision of the court.

The Chairman of the SPLM-DC, Dr. Lam Akol spoke on their behalf.

He said: ‘‘Now it is a question of establishing before the court whether our case is justified or not and we are confident that we have a strong case.”

The Chief Justice, Judge Chan Rech says the next hearing will be on the 3^rd of March, and will be attended by officials from the Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Justice.