President Salva Kiir Courtesy of Office of the President

President Salva Kiir has called on political parties to come out openly and start preparing for next year’s first general elections.

Kiir – who is also the chairman of SPLM party – says that the SPLM is ready for the elections

However, the head of state said some political parties have not yet registered with the Political Parties’ Council.

“2026 is coming and that is when you will be informed that go to cast your vote in the elections.

“We are ever ready to cast our votes. We want to see our colleagues in other parties to come out openly because some of them have not registered their parties up to now”, said Kiir on Tuesday.

In April last year, 14 political parties threatened to sue the Political Parties’ Council (PPC) at the East African Court of Justice over what they described as unreasonable and illegal registration fees imposed on them.

The parties said the PPC allegedly slept over their March 25 petition to reconsider the decision imposing an “exorbitant fee increment from previous 20,000 pounds to USD 50,000 dollars with no legal basis.

In their previous letters, the parties termed the move as a direct contradiction to the principles of democracy and fair political participation.

Following their complaints, the Minister of Justice declared the 75,000 US dollar-registration fee null and void.

So far, the stalemate has not been resolved.

 NEC’s conditions for Free, Fair, Credible and Peaceful Elections

In early December 2024, the National Elections Commission Board Members outlined several resolutions seeking political decision to enable the electoral institution organize a timely and credible elections in December 2026.

The 14-point resolution focused on challenges and possible solutions related to the electoral legal framework, electoral timelines and preparations for elections, to enable decision-making that will lead South Sudan to credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections.

In attendance were Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol Tong, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, his deputy Gabriel Gabriel Deng and Mac Maika Deng, the body’s Chief Electoral Officer.

Others include William Kolnyin Deng Deng, Amos Juma Ochieng Odek, Manuel Makum Matuop Thian Commissioner, George Lemi Stans Yata, Thabo Abosuh Ajang Alijok and Sarah Daniel Gatluak Lui.

In a communique dated 5th of December, 2024, the border members said the electoral body was developing a realistic electoral operational timeline to reach elections by December, 2026.

This electoral timeline, according to the institution, “would outline the political decisions, legal, technical and financial needs of the NEC in order to get to December 2026 elections.”

The 9-board members emphasized on the need for urgent reform on the electoral legal framework that will  allow the NEC to implement credible elections by December, 26.

This, the board members said, would require amendments and clarity to address gaps, operational challenges and inconsistencies in the electoral processes.

The resolution also recommended for voter registration preparations and implementation of in-person nationwide voter registration exercise during the next dry season but this, according to the board members requires political, financial and operational decisions in the beginning of 2025.

One boundary delimitation, the board members also required that “a political decision on which population data be taken by the Parties to the R-ARCSS before the NEC can begin the boundary delimitation process.”

To ensure smooth start in the new year, the board members said “adequate funding is needed to enable the NEC to be a fully functional institution across South Sudan – this includes the necessity of functional office space at the headquarters and across the nation, in addition to being fully staffed in order to plan and administer the electoral processes, including voter registration.”

The board members also adopted regulations related to conduct of NEC officers and employee.

“Regulation 1/2024 on the Use and Purpose of a Code of Conduct, with the National Elections Commission Code of Conduct (for NEC commissioners and employees) and the respective Code of Conduct by the Commission.”

Another code of conduct targets observers, media, agents and special guest.

“Regulation No. 2/2024 on Observers, Media Representatives, Agents and Special Guests with four Codes of Conducts (for observers, media representatives, agents and special guests)”, read the statement.

The third one regulated for Political Parties and Candidates during election campaigns.

The election organizers further encouraged the Government of South Sudan to agree to realistic implementation plans.