President Salva Kiir Mayardit has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to holding long-awaited general elections in December 2026, as the country’s electoral body prepares to announce the official polling date in the coming months.
The assurance came during a meeting on Thursday in Juba between the President and the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Prof. Abednego Akok Kacoul, where both leaders reviewed the progress of preparations for the nationwide vote.
According to the Electoral Commission, the official election date is expected to be announced in June, as preparations intensify with less than eight months remaining before the planned polls.
Professor Akok briefed the President on the Commission’s roadmap, including plans to launch nationwide civic education and voter registration, which will be conducted simultaneously to ensure citizens across the country are prepared to participate in the electoral process.
“We are preparing to announce the official election date in June while rolling out civic education and voter registration across the country because the elections are now only eight months away,” Akok said.
Elections to cover entire country
The Commission revealed that the elections will be conducted across 102 geographical constituencies covering the 10 states and three administrative areas of South Sudan.
Officials also discussed technical preparations including constituency demarcation and logistical arrangements necessary to ensure a smooth electoral process.
President Kiir stressed the importance of maintaining momentum in the preparations and assured the Commission that the government would provide the necessary resources required to conduct the elections successfully.
“The government will avail the necessary resources and logistical support to ensure the elections are conducted successfully in December 2026,” Kiir said.
Professor Akok welcomed the President’s commitment, describing it as an important encouragement for the Commission as it works to organize what could be the country’s first general elections since independence.
He noted that continued cooperation between the government and the electoral body will be essential to ensure the polls are credible, orderly, and inclusive for the people of South Sudan.
The planned elections are seen as a critical milestone in the country’s democratic transition and are expected to allow citizens to elect their leaders through the ballot box after years of political transition and delays.
Authorities say further announcements regarding voter registration timelines and civic education programs will be made in the coming months as preparations continue nationwide.
Political goodwill, funding risks
Meanwhile, various institutions, bodies and international observers have warned the country’s leadership to show full political will and press unlock funding opportunities to pave the way for an all-inclusive, credible and fair elections.
While delivering its pre-election assessment earlier this week, Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said the country risks postponing its planned December 2026 general elections for a fifth time due to a lack of political will and insufficient funding.
CEPO said the National Elections Commission has so far received a paltry 4% of its requested budget, risking its chances of holding the elections in December as scheduled.
“The time for preparation of the South Sudan elections scheduled for December 2026 is getting closer without any concrete steps for creating a conducive environment for holding peaceful, credible and fair elections,” CEPO’s report noted, unpacking three main hurdles to the success of the planned polls.
According to the organization, delays in funding for the elections commission, ongoing military confrontations between government forces and opposition groups, and political maneuvering that has deepened divisions among parties to the 2018 peace agreement could derail the process.
Utilities
“We are preparing to announce the official election date in June while rolling out civic education and voter registration across the country because the elections are now only eight months away,” says National Elections Commission, Prof. Abednego Akok Kacoul.
