PHOTO CREDITS : UNDP - The ESC stressed that rebuilding these facilities is not only a technical task but also a step toward restoring trust in the national electoral system. The call for resources comes as South Sudan prepares for what will be its first national elections since gaining independence in 2011.
Civil Society Briefed on 2026 Election Security Needs
(JUBA) – South Sudan’s Election Security Committee (ESC) has completed a detailed assessment of National Police Service (NPS) facilities in 10 states and the Ruweng Administrative Area to determine what is needed to re-establish Joint Electoral Operations Centres (JEOCs) ahead of the country’s planned general elections in December 2026.
The exercise, led by the NPS with support from the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN IEAT), ran from February to July 2025. A final assessment visit to the Pibor Administrative Area is scheduled for August 2025.
The JEOCs are considered critical to election security coordination at both national and sub-national levels. They are designed to provide space for stakeholders including the NEC, police, civil society organisations, religious groups, local authorities and political parties to share information and coordinate election related security operations.
During the assessments, the team found that many of the JEOC structures that had been used during the 2010 elections and the 2011 referendum were either destroyed or seriously damaged during the civil conflict that broke out in 2013. As a result, the team recommended full reconstruction and refurbishing of these centres before they can be used again.
The ESC, which is chaired by the NPS, considers the JEOCs essential for preventing electoral violence and ensuring coordinated security during the 2026 vote. The committee’s findings emphasise that the re-establishment of these centres will help build public confidence in the electoral process and support a peaceful and inclusive election.
On 24 July 2025, the ESC presented its assessment findings to the Acting Minister of Interior, the Chairperson of the NEC, senior NPS officials and representatives from civil society. The presentation, held under the direction of the Inspector General of Police, aimed to raise awareness about the current condition of electoral security infrastructure and the urgent need for financial support.
The committee called on relevant authorities to allocate adequate funding to support both the refurbishment of the JEOCs and broader preparations for electoral security. No specific budget was disclosed during the presentation, but the overall appeal stressed that timely action is necessary to ensure readiness before the 2026 elections.
The following table summarises the key areas visited and the status of the JEOCs:
| Area Assessed | Status of JEOC Facility |
|---|---|
| Central Equatoria | Damaged, requires reconstruction |
| Western Equatoria | Non functional, needs full repair |
| Eastern Equatoria | Partially damaged, needs upgrade |
| Jonglei | Heavily damaged, reconstruction |
| Unity | No usable structure remains |
| Upper Nile | Requires refurbishment |
| Warrap | Minor repair needed |
| Lakes | Non-functional, extensive damage |
| Northern Bahr el Ghazal | Usable with improvements |
| Western Bahr el Ghazal | Basic repairs required |
| Ruweng Administrative Area | Structure incomplete |
| Pibor Administrative Area | Scheduled for August 2025 visit |
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