Newly appointed Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly, Joseph Ngere Paciko,- Credit: Madrama James/Eye Radio

The parliament has passed a constitutional amendment bill, a move legislators say will pave the way for the smooth and transparent conduct of the elections in December.

The 13th constitutional amendment was passed in a joint sitting of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States yesterday, after journalists were chased out of the session.

According to Parliament spokesperson Oliver Mori Benjamin, the amendment was discussed during an in-camera sitting of the two houses.

Mori says lawmakers adopted the report presented by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Wek Mamer Kuol, in its entirety and without changes.

“This amendment deals to pave the way for smooth transparent elections which are going to be conducted in December and after thorough discussion from the members the members adopted the report which was presented by the minister of justice and constitutional affairs Wek Mamer Kuol in its totality without any addition and this amendment is especially made to remove all obstacles that are hindering the conduct of smooth and fair transparent elections comes December 2026,” Mori said speaking to the state-run SSBC on Tuesday.

Among the provisions amended is the requirement for the National Elections Commission to organize elections 60 days before the end of the transitional period.

The amendment changes this period to 30 days before the end of the transitional period.

Another provision on the voter register has also been changed.

Previously, the register was required to be published within 60 months before elections. The amendment now requires the voter register to be published within three months before the elections.

The amendment also changes the constitutional reform process by allowing the elected government to undertake the process of making the country’s permanent constitution.

It deletes Article 202, Sub-Article 4, which required the permanent constitution to be completed within 24 months after the establishment of the transitional period and to guide elections at the end of the transition.

Parliament says the changes are aimed at clearing legal obstacles and paving the way for the conduct of smooth, fair and transparent elections in December 2026.

The adopted amendment will now be forwarded to President Salva Kiir for assent before it can become law.