Professor Abednego Akok, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission speaks to Eye Radio. (Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio).

The Chairperson of the National Elections Commission said that there is a possibility of using the 2008 population census results to conduct the country’s first general elections in 2024.

The 2008 house-to-house population count put the country’s inhabitants at 12 million people.

Professor Abendigo Akok, the Chairperson of the National Election Commission said there is a need to urgently conduct a census to usher elections in 2024.

“Definitely that is why we are here to talk, and we appeal to peace-loving people or to our nation so that we come out with a strategic plan such that we prepare for census urgently,” he said.

When asked if the current population estimate may be used to roll out elections, Akok says it is possible in case funding for the census is not provided.

“If it doesn’t happen, that is a political decision, not mine, but they will tell us the way forward. There may be a possibility. If there is no money, then that one can be used.”

The 2018 revitalized peace deal mandates the unity government to conduct population census to determine the number of South Sudanese before the conduct of elections in late 2024.

Meanwhile, a National Population Estimate Survey conducted in 2021 put the current population of South Sudan at 12,44,018.

The estimate data carried out in the ten states and three administrative areas, was based on satellite-derived information and a system of equally sized grid squares.

However, it excludes the more than two million South Sudanese refugees in the region.

The Chairperson of the National Bureau of Statistics Isaiah Chol Aruai said the survey was intended to generate indicators for monitoring and evaluation of programs prior to the population housing census, demographic and health survey, and demographic dividend study.

Aruai ruled out any possibility of using the estimate survey to roll out elections, and said it will only be used for planning purposes.