Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of UNMISS during a press conference on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | Courtesy of UNMISS

The Head of UNMISS underscored the critical need for immediate action on voter registration, stressing that early preparations are essential to securing credible elections in South Sudan by December 2026.

Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, made this remark during a press briefing on Tuesday, December 10, in Juba.

He stated that the path towards South Sudan’s first credible elections in December 2026 has taken a significant step forward, with the National Elections Commission (NEC) committing to a detailed electoral timeline.

According to Haysom, this comes after a three-day planning retreat facilitated by the UN’s Integrated Electoral Assistance Team, underscoring the urgency of voter registration preparations and the legal, political, and technical infrastructure required to ensure a legitimate democratic process.

He emphasized the importance of starting immediate preparations for voter registration.

“If you’re not registered to vote, you won’t have a voice in shaping your country’s future,” he stated, highlighting that the process is foundational to building a united and peaceful South Sudan.

The NEC’s comprehensive plan also includes crucial amendments to the legal framework, addressing issues like electoral systems, the participation of displaced populations, and party registration.

These steps aim to establish the transparency and confidence needed for elections that South Sudanese citizens can trust.

“Elections without the confidence of the people could be catastrophic,” Haysom warned, stressing the potential for a return to conflict if the process fails. “The outcome we must collectively strive to avoid at all costs is another war.”

In addition to logistical and legal preparations, UNMISS is committed to providing substantial infrastructure support, including office buildings in all 10 states, as part of its Quick Impact Projects.

The UN will continue its engagement with political parties, civil society, security forces, and communities to ensure a transparent and inclusive electoral process.

Haysom called on all political actors and the government to take decisive political and financial actions in early 2025 to move the election process forward, ensuring South Sudan’s transition remains on track.