Following the adoption of Regulation No. 1/2024 on the Use and Purpose of a Code of Conduct, and the National Elections Commission Code of Conduct 2024, the National Elections Commission (NEC) has taken a significant step towards electoral preparations by having the commissioners individually sign the said Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct formulates values and principles for the professional and ethical conduct of members and employees of the NEC.

The event took place during the NEC Operational Planning retreat in Entebbe, marking a crucial step towards conducting democratic, inclusive, transparent, peaceful, and credible elections in the country.

Key Provisions of the Code of Conduct include:

1. Respect for the Rule of Law:  requiring its signatories to ensure that the legal framework relating to elections is implemented in an impartial and equitable manner.
2. Impartiality and Neutrality:  requiring its signatories to maintain neutrality, avoid partisan support, disclose potential conflicts of interest, and avoid accepting gifts or favors from election-related entities.
3. Transparency:  requiring its signatories to provide effective access to electoral documents and information in a timely manner. This includes consulting with electoral stakeholders regularly and providing the legal rationale behind decisions made by the election administration.
4. Accuracy: requiring its signatories to ensure that all information collected, compiled, and published by the NEC has a sound factual basis and is presented in a systematic, clear, and unambiguous manner.
5. Service to Voters: requiring its signatories to aim to provide the highest quality service to voters, ensuring they adequately understand the election process and can exercise their political rights effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Code of Conduct also outlines the duties and responsibilities of NEC members and staff. These include serving with impartiality and professionalism, exercising their powers without undue influence, and acting in the best interests of the people of South Sudan. They are also required to protect confidential information, attend all NEC meetings, and report any improper influence or misconduct. The signing of the Code of Conduct in Entebbe is an important milestone towards upholding the highest standards of conduct and ethics. This move is expected to enhance the credibility and integrity of the electoral process in South Sudan.

National Elections Commission (NEC) has taken a significant step towards electoral preparations through the adoption of three (3) electoral regulations. This took place during the NEC Operational Planning retreat in Entebbe held between the 3^rd and 5^th of December 2024, marking a crucial step towards conducting democratic, inclusive, transparent, peaceful, and credible elections in the country.

These regulations are:

1. Regulation No. 1/2024 on the Use and Purpose of a Code of Conduct, and the National Elections Commission Code of Conduct 2024
2. Regulation No. 2/2024 on Observers, Media Representatives, Agents and Special Guests
3. Regulation No 3/2024 on Election Campaign

The passing of these regulations in Entebbe is an important milestone in electoral preparedness. This move paves the way for the commission to begin preparations and planning for the December 2026 election.

From November 25 to 28, UN Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN IEAT) facilitated a BRIDGE training workshop on Voter and Civic Education (CVE) for members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The workshop aimed to enhance their capacity in CVE and familiarize them with NEC’s CVE strategy was attended by 24 participants from NEC, members of CSOs and the UN IEAT. The sessions emphasized techniques, strategies, and approaches for effectively engaging with stakeholders. As a result of the BRIDGE training sessions, three NEC staff members and one UN IEAT staff member successfully achieved accreditation as BRIDGE facilitators. This milestone represents a significant advancement in strengthening the capacity of NEC personnel in the field of training and facilitation.

Juba- From October 1^st to October 17, 2024, chairpersons, deputy chairpersons, and members of the High Committees, staff members from the National Elections commission and representatives from various civil society organizations from all 10 states participated in a training program focused on electoral administration.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the electoral process in South Sudan, facilitated by BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance, and Elections), a comprehensive capacity development curriculum for election management bodies worldwide. This program was conducted in two phases and was attended by 72 participants.

These trainings are aimed at equipping South Sudan’s electoral stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage upcoming elections in the country.

Juba, South Sudan – The National Election Commission (NEC) has successfully concluded the induction training for the State High Election Committees (SHECs), marking a significant achievement in preparation for the upcoming national elections scheduled for December 22, 2026. The workshop, held from October 8-11, 2024, in Juba, was organized with the support of the UN-Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN-IEAT) and aimed at equipping the SHEC members with the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure a smooth electoral process.

The training is a culmination of months of meticulous planning and consultations that began earlier this year. In April and May, NEC officials visited all ten states to engage with stakeholders and discuss the establishment of the SHECs. The committees, comprising 50 members, were officially announced on June 17, 2024, by NEC Chair Prof. Abednego Akok Kachuol, and took their oath of office on July 11, 2024.

The induction workshop covered a comprehensive curriculum that included electoral laws, ethical standards, and operational procedures for managing elections. Participants were also trained on logistical coordination, stakeholder engagement, and conflict resolution strategies to handle potential challenges during the electoral period. The NEC, along with the UN-IEAT, emphasized the importance of transparency, integrity, and inclusiveness in the electoral process.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Prof. Abednego Akok Kachuol commended the commitment and dedication of the SHEC members. “The completion of this training marks a critical milestone in our journey toward a fair and credible election in 2026. With this induction, our State High Election Committees are well-prepared to uphold democratic values and oversee the electoral process effectively,” he stated.

Participants expressed their readiness to apply the training in their respective states, where their immediate focus will be refurbishing and setting up local offices to facilitate election-related activities. The NEC and the UN-IEAT will continue to provide technical support and monitoring as the SHECs carry out their mandate in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.

The successful completion of this induction training is a promising step toward strengthening South Sudan’s democratic framework, as the country gears up for its national elections. The NEC’s proactive measures, supported by international partners, underscore a commitment to enhancing the electoral process and ensuring that the voices of the South Sudanese people are heard.

The newly appointed members of all ten State High Election Committees in South Sudan met in Juba to strengthen their knowledge on the principles of electoral administration with the support of the UN Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UNMISS and UNDP).

The training utilized BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections), a comprehensive capacity development curriculum for election management bodies worldwide. This training is one of many capacity building programmes planned to support South Sudan’s electoral process.

This foundational BRIDGE training on Electoral Administration was launched on 1 October and will continue through 17 October, with the participation of the National Elections Commission, all State High Election Committees, and representatives of civil society organizations.

The National Election Commission is preparing for national elections, scheduled for 22 December 2026. To implement elections, the NEC will rely on a field structure consisting of a High Committee at a state-level (SHEC) in each of the ten states.  Each SHEC consists of a chairperson, deputy chairperson, and three committee members appointed by the NEC.  

In April and May 2024, the members of the NEC visited the States to meet with stakeholders and consult about for SHEC appointments. On 17 June 2024, the Chair of NEC, Prof. Abednego Akok Kachuol, announced the establishment of the High Committees at the State-level. The fifty (50) committee members took their oath of office in Juba on 11 July 2024 and will begin the task of refurbishing their offices.    

To prepare the SHECs for their task, NEC with the support of the UN-Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN-IEAT), will deliver an Induction Workshop from 08-11 October 2024 in Juba.  

Extended Introduction to Electoral Administration (October 1^st to 04^th and October 14^th  to 17^th)

Between 22 April and 28 June 2024, UN IEAT conducted 26 BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) training workshops in Juba, all ten states and Pibor Administrative Area. The workshops were delivered by 13 accredited international facilitators to members of the National Election Commission, civil society, media, and UN IEAT staff. The training workshops covered a diverse range of electoral topics, including management (Building Excellence in Elections); election standards, electoral cycle, and electoral stakeholders (Introduction to Election Administration); election operations; and voter and civic education; voter rights for persons with disabilities, youth and women (Access to Electoral Processes); and training methods for election stakeholders (Train the Facilitator).  

This series of trainings was the largest roll out of BRIDGE in its 25-year history as the leading curriculum for training electoral stakeholders. In total, 679 participants were trained (60% male; 40% female). Nearly half of the participants were from civil society (48%), while others came from the National Election Commission (NEC) (27%), Government authorities (7%), Media (2%), and United Nations (15%).  

Following the swearing in of High Committee at a state-level (SHEC)  the NEC will partner with UN-IEAT to conduct an Introduction to Election Administration module from the BRIDGE curriculum. This will be modified to target election workers, with an emphasis on boundary delimitation, voter registration, civic and voter education, candidate nomination, and election security. The four-day module will be run three times with 25-30 participants per session to accommodate all SHEC members and any new NEC members. 

Schedule 

After the completion of BRIDGE training, all SHEC members will be equipped to undergo the first of a series of operational technical trainings. When there is clarity on the modality and regulations for voter registration, UN IEAT and NEC can proceed with an operational training for voter registration and a voter and civic education campaign.  

A delegation from the National Election Commission (NEC) have concluded a one-week benchmarking tour and peer exchange forum with Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of Kenya as part of their preparations for elections scheduled for 22nd December 2024.

The forum was opened by Arthur Osiya, the Principal Administrative Secretary Kenya’s Office of the President. Mr. Osiya underlined that an election is a matter of life and death and therefore EMBs should know that in delivering their mandate, they carry peoples’ ambitions, careers and lives. It is important for NEC to undertake its mandate and make South Sudan better after elections.

“Election officials from South Sudan should stick together by unity of purpose and have commitment to their country and not candidates. The weight you carry on your shoulders is enormous. Be firm and fair to ensure continuity of South Sudan,” said Osiya

The IEBC’s Secretary/CEO Marjan H. Marjan, said that Kenya continued to receive delegations from across the world, which is an endorsement of Kenya’s free, fair and transparent election processes.

“This peer exchange is meant to promote learning between Kenya and South Sudan EMBs. By the end of the exercise, Kenya and South Sudan EMBs will carry plates full of lessons back to our offices for adoption and implementation,” said Marjan.

Mr. Marjan observed that every successful venture must start with a well thought out plan. Elections planning in young democracies, especially in Africa, is a logistical nightmare. He advised that NEC must plan. Invest in the planning process every step of the upcoming election.

NEC’s Chief Electoral Officer, Honorable Mac Maika Deng, expressed his gratitude to the IEBC, Kenya School of Government (KSG) and Government of Kenya for hosting the delegation.

“We do not take for granted the hospitality and agreement by IEBC to meet and train our team on conducting elections successfully. Our NEC team was reconstituted in November 2023 and took oath of office in January 2024. Training is our top priority,” said the Honorable CEO.

Between 22 April and 28 June 2024, the United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (IEAT) implemented a comprehensive training program in South Sudan utilizing an international election training curriculum, Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Election (BRIDGE). BRIDGE is an international election training curriculum developed by five global partners: the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC); UNDP; UN DPPA; International IDEA; and IFES. In total, 26 BRIDGE training events were held: Introduction to Electoral Administration (3 days); Building Institutional Excellence in Elections (5 days); Operational Planning; Train the Facilitators (10 days) ; Civic and Voter Education (4 days); and Access to Electoral Processes (3 days).

This training program was the largest BRIDGE training program in its 25-year history as the pre-eminent global curriculum for training election stakeholders. BRIDGE was welcomed and positively evaluated by the participants. The trainings provided an opportunity for electoral stakeholders to meet and discuss various electoral thematic areas within a broader electoral-cycle approach. The program strengthened the capacity and knowledge of the newly re-constituted National Election Commission (NEC) and newly recruited staff. Training included a range of stakeholders, including youth organizations, women organizations, disability persons organizations and faith-based organizations. Events were held across the country in all ten (10) states of South Sudan and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

A total of 679 participants (60% male, 40% female) were trained in different BRIDGE modules. Nearly half of the participants (48%) were from civil society organizations, followed by representatives of National Election Commission (18%), State High Election Committees (9%), State-level government authorities (7%), Media (2%), and United Nations (15%).

In addition to providing vital foundational training to 679 participants, the program also created a pool of 19 trained facilitators from the NEC, civil society, and UN IEAT national staff, with skills to develop and implement training programs, and potential to become fully accredited BRIDGE facilitators in the future. Three national facilitators were provided the opportunity to facilitate BRIDGE training and one received workshop level accreditation. The trainings increased awareness among the stakeholders on strategies for inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons and refugees in electoral process. The program enhanced understanding among stakeholders on delivery of civic and voter education programs and messages. Electoral officials, civil society organizations and other stakeholders expressed the need for continued training.