By Deng Machol
JUBA, South Sudan – South Sudan’s National Elections Commission (NEC) has launched a nationwide civic and voter education campaign, marking a significant milestone in preparations for the country’s long-awaited general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026.
The campaign was officially launched on Monday with a public awareness march through the streets of Juba, bringing together NEC officials, representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, development partners and members of the public in a show of commitment to an informed and inclusive electoral process.
The initiative aims to equip citizens with the knowledge needed to participate confidently and peacefully in the elections as South Sudan prepares to choose a new government and bring its prolonged transitional period to a close.
Over the coming months, the NEC will conduct civic education activities across the country, focusing on voter registration, voting procedures, ballot secrecy, electoral rights and responsibilities, and the importance of peaceful participation in democratic processes.
Launching the campaign, NEC Chairperson Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol stressed that the voter education exercise would remain strictly impartial and serve all South Sudanese equally.
“It is not the campaign of any political party, individual leader, region, or community,” Akok said. “It belongs to every citizen of the Republic.”
He emphasized that the primary objective is to ensure every eligible voter understands the electoral process and can exercise their constitutional right freely, peacefully and with confidence.
Akok also underscored the commission’s commitment to ensuring no citizen is left behind, saying special attention would be given to groups that have historically faced barriers to political participation.
“The commission will pay particular attention to women, young people, persons with disabilities, displaced communities and other citizens who may face barriers across the country. Above all, the campaign will remain strictly non-partisan,” he said.
Recognizing the scale of the task ahead, the NEC chairperson appealed to the international community—including the United Nations, the African Union, IGAD, diplomatic missions and other development partners—to continue providing technical, financial and institutional support to South Sudan’s electoral preparations.
He reaffirmed the commission’s determination to deliver elections that are peaceful, credible, transparent and inclusive while maintaining the NEC’s independence throughout the electoral process.
The launch of the nationwide voter education campaign represents one of the most important milestones in South Sudan’s electoral roadmap as the country moves toward holding its first general elections since gaining independence in 2011.
If successfully implemented, the civic education initiative is expected to improve voter awareness, encourage broader participation and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process, laying the foundation for what many hope will be a peaceful and credible democratic transition.
