Election Commission Secures $6 million for Voter Education

(JUBA)-South Sudan’s National Election Commission (NEC) has disclosed receiving $6 million from the government to fund civic and voter education activities ahead of the planned elections.

According to NEC Chairperson Abednego Akok Kacuol, the funds will support a nationwide voter awareness campaign set to begin across the ten states and three administrative areas.

“We are launching civic and voter education all over the 10 states of South Sudan and the three administrative areas,” he said on Monday. “The government has decided and committed to elections by availing these resources.”

The NEC chairperson said voter education is a critical component of the electoral process and forms part of preparations ahead of voter registration, campaigning and polling.

While expressing optimism that elections can still be conducted within the available timeframe, Akok acknowledged that time remains one of the commission’s biggest challenges.

South Sudan is expected to hold elections in December 2026 under the roadmap of the revitalized peace agreement.

However, delays in key pre-election benchmarks, including the population census and the permanent constitution-making process, have raised concerns about the feasibility of meeting the timeline.

Akok said the commission is proposing amendments to electoral timelines stipulated in the Election Act, including shortening periods allocated for voter registration, campaigning and other electoral activities.

“We are having the issue of time,” he said. “We are proposing to the government that they should be reduced, and this should be passed to the Assembly.”

Responding to concerns about insecurity in parts of the country, Akok said an Election Security Committee comprising the NEC, police and the United Nations has already assessed security conditions nationwide.

“They did give us a report about areas which are insecure and areas which are not secure,” he said. “But I hope areas which are insecure are few.”

The commission is expected to make another major announcement on June 22, when it plans to officially declare the election date.