RJMEC Chairperson, Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai. Photo credit: R-JMEC

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission is appealing to the national parliament to prioritize the passing of the National Elections Bill and reconstitution of the political parties’ council.

It made the appeal during the 28^th plenary of the peace monitoring body in Juba on Wednesday.

According to peace monitor, no progress has been made in the reconstitution of the Political Parties Council despite the law having been enacted over eight months ago.

R-JMEC says that the reconstitution of the council is critical to paving way for the registration of the political parties.

Yet, it says, the enactment of the National Elections Act and its operationalize is way behind schedule.

“In terms of the preparations for elections as per the roadmap, no progress has been made in the reconstitution of the Political Parties Council despite the law having been enacted over 8 months ago,

“The reconstitution of the Council is critical to paving the way for the registration of political parties, added RJMEC interim chairperson, Charles Tai Githuai.

The peace monitoring added that all the elections-related tasks including the establishment and functioning of institutions that drive the elections processes are lagging behind schedule.

“As a result of these delays, all the elections-related tasks including the establishment and functioning of institutions that drive the elections process, are behind schedule,

“In this regard, I appeal to the national parliament to prioritize passage of the National Elections Bill,” he said.

But Government Spokesperson Michael Makuei who spoke on behalf of the Cabinet Affairs Minister says, the high-level standing committee is reconstituting the Political Parties’ Council to kick-start registration of the parties and preparations for elections.

“The high-level standing committee is reconstituting the Political Parties Council so that the political parties start to register and commence the political work in preparation for elections,” he stressed.