The National Elections Commission says it is ready to begin preparations for next year’s general elections as soon as the security situation in the country improves.

The chairperson of the NEC says the commission is planning to open state high electoral commissions in areas where there is no conflict.

Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol said the commission has received limited funds which can only finance the establishment of electoral offices across the country.

He says there are not enough resources to organize the poll itself.

He said the commission is ready to conduct the elections in 2015 as soon as stability returns to states affected by the crisis.

“We are guided by the Constitution and the environment – once the environment is hostile, you can’t run elections, and once the environment is sound and stable, you can run elections,” said Mr Akok.

“We are looking forward to the outcome of the Addis Ababa peace talks.”

Professor Akok said the commission needs more funds to effectively carry out the 2015 elections across the country.

“The budget is there, but this budget is meant for the establishment of the commission’s secretariats and the state high committees,” he stated.

“But the budget for the real elections has not been formulated. The government should provide us with funds to enable us to execute our programs.”

In October last year, the National Legislative Assembly allocated 36 million South Sudanese Pounds to the National Elections Commission to support South Sudan’s first national elections since independence.