On 13 August 2025, the United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UNIEAT) successfully dispatched a consignment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to strengthen electoral operations across the country.

The shipment included desktop computers, office printers, and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems—essential tools for the smooth conduct of election activities.

This initiative is part of UNIEAT’s ongoing commitment to enhance the technical and operational capacity of the National Election Commission (NEC) at the national level, as well as the State High Election Committees (SHECs) at the state level. By equipping these institutions with modern ICT equipment, UNIEAT seeks to facilitate efficient election administration and improved communication between the NEC and the SHECs.

The first phase of distribution covered six states: Eastern Equatoria, Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Lakes, and Northern Bahr el Ghazal. The remaining states will receive their consignments once renovation and construction of their offices are finalized.

The newly delivered ICT equipment is expected to play a critical role in improving preparedness at the state level, enabling electoral bodies to carry out their responsibilities more effectively. UNIEAT remains firmly committed to supporting the NEC and SHECs as the country prepares for the upcoming elections.

Rumbek – Lakes State

Wau – Western Bahr el Ghazal

UNMISS Tomping Logistics Base – Preparing to ship equipment to the States

Yambio – Western Equatoria State

On the 24th of July 2025, as part of preparations for the general elections scheduled for December 2026, the Election Security Committee (ESC), chaired by the National Police Service (NPS), and includes representatives of the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the UN Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN IEAT) presented findings of assessments of NPS premises in 10 states and the Ruweng Administrative Area to  the Acting Minister of Interior,  the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, representatives of civil society and the Senior Leadership of the National Police Service.The assessment exercises that began in February 2025 and that completed in July 2025 were to establish the requirements for the re-establishment of Joint Electoral Operations Centers (JEOCs) across the country.  The assessment of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area is planned to take place in August 2025.

The establishment of JEOCs at the national and sub-national level are an important security, information sharing and coordination mechanism amongst relevant electoral stakeholders, namely the NEC, NPS, and the broader security apparatus of South Sudan.  The assessments, conducted under the leadership of NPS, in partnership with the NEC and UN IEAT, revealed that in all locations the pre-existing JEOC structures utilized for the 2010 elections and the 2011 referendum were badly damaged during the 2013 conflict, hence will require reconstruction and refurbishing.

The NPS and NEC expect the JEOCs to play an essential role as the key mechanism for election security coordination, including prevention of electoral violence and support election security operations. The recommendation of the ESC is to re-establish JEOCs in all states and administrative areas for election security coordination and support the building of trust and confidence for a credible, inclusive and peaceful electoral process across the country.

Under the auspices of the IGP, the Elections Security Committee presented the findings to raise awareness around the status of JEOCs and the need to allocate funding to the reconstruction and refurbishment of such electoral security structures.

As part of a joint partnership between the National Elections Commission (NEC), UNDP and UNMISS to operationalize all ten State High Election Committee (SHEC) offices in order to lay the institutional foundations for electoral preparations around the country, UNMISS handed over a newly constructed office complex to the NEC and SHEC in Yambio, Western Equatoria State. The UNMISS-supported construction project was utilizing the Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) funding and carried out through the implementation by the local Western Equatoria State organization, Community Organization for Peer Educators (COPE).

Planning of the project first began in December 2024, based on a needs assessment and later designed and implemented in collaboration with the NEC and SHEC. The office complex was built from the ground up and includes seven offices, a conference hall with storage, security post and pit latrines. Additionally, the project provided office furniture and solar panels for electric sustainability.

The handover ceremony was attended by the NEC Chief Electoral Officer, NEC Secretary-General, Acting Governor of Western Equatoria State, the Chairperson of the SHEC-Western Equatoria, in addition to other representatives of the SHEC, UNMISS, and civil society, among others.

In addition to providing a functional office in order to begin election preparations and conduct election activities at the state level, the office will also facilitate the engagement of the SHEC with diverse electoral stakeholders, including voters, candidates, political parties, civil society organizations, the media, and observer groups, enabling them to perform their roles effectively in building an inclusive, conducive environment for elections to take place.

“For any election management body, the establishment of a functional office is key to its ability to plan and prepare for an electoral process, in addition to being able to have a space to engage with electoral stakeholders. The construction of this State High Election Committee office here in Western Equatoria State is a positive step in creating the environment for elections to take place. The NEC appreciates UNMISS for its continued support in building NEC’s institutional capacity,” reflected Mr. Gabriel Bol Deng, Secretary General of the National Election Commission during the handover ceremony.

“The State High Election Committee in Western Equatoria State looks forward to working with all electoral stakeholders in preparing for elections and appreciates the work of UNMISS, not only for providing this office, but also for the multiple trainings to support our understanding and ability to prepare for elections and effectively engage with stakeholders,” said the Chairperson of the State High Election Committee-Western Equatoria State.

On June 13, 2025, the National Elections Commission (NEC) commenced the rollout of a Master Trainers’ Program for Civic Educators. This training program was rolled out in two sessions, from June 10-13 and 17-20, 2025, in Juba, and included 50 participants from the NEC, including representatives from the State High Elections Committees (SHEC), as well as state and non-state actors. The training was based on the NEC’s civic and voter education strategy, with support from the United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN IEAT). In this context, the NEC training manual on civic education covers five topics: i) democracy; ii) governance; iii) human rights; iv) elections; and v) peacebuilding, and an additional program to support civic educators’ presentation and training skills.

The training program aimed to assist NEC, SHEC, civil society, and other stakeholders in concepts, approaches, and activities on civic education to support a harmonized approach to civic education initiatives by the NEC and other electoral stakeholders in South Sudan.

The NEC has prioritized civic and voter education and sustained stakeholder engagement to bolster an electoral process that is transparent, inclusive, and peaceful. By the end of the program, two cohorts of master trainers were trained, a total of 50 trainers. Subsequent to this master training program, a training of trainers, composed of civil society, youth groups, and other stakeholders, will be rolled out at the state and county levels in order to support a nationwide electoral-focused civic education initiative.

“Forging partnerships and collaboration with key stakeholders such as state entities, civil society, media, and political parties will be instrumental in conducting a nationwide civic and voter education program”, remarked Honorable Thabo Abosuh Ajang, NEC Commissioner responsible for civic and voter education.

On the 4th of June 2025, A delegation from the National Elections Commission (NEC) visited Bor, Jonglei from 3-5 June 2025 to mark a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the State High Election Committee (SHEC) office. The office is being constructed with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan’ (UNMISS) Quick Impact Projects (QIPs). The project includes the construction of the office from the ground up, installation of a solar system, sanitation facilities, and a perimeter wall fence.

The delegation, led by Honorable Commissioner William Kolyin Deng and Secretary-General Mr. Gabriel Bol Deng of the NEC, held  consultation meetings with the State Government, SHEC Jonglei, UNMISS Field Office and other electoral stakeholders.

The construction of the SHEC office in Bor is part of a broader collaborative effort between the UNMISS and the National Elections Committee, utilizing NEC and UNMISS resources, to refurbish and construct the offices of the State High Elections Committees so they are operational and functional in all ten states of South Sudan. The SHEC office construction will contribute to an enabling environment for elections, providing working space for electoral officials, and enhancing the capacity of the SHEC to manage inclusive and credible electoral processes. Furthermore, it will facilitate the engagement with electoral stakeholders, including voters, candidates, political parties, civil society organizations, the media, and observer groups, supporting an engaged, conducive environment for elections and enabling pre-electoral activities to begin.

Following the reconstitution of the NEC and the appointment of the State High Election Committees in 2024, one of the main priorities of the NEC has been to make its offices in the states operational. Since early 2024, NEC has engaged in consultation meetings with the Government of South Sudan and State Governments in order to secure funding, land, and/or office premises in order to construct or refurbish offices for use by the SHEC in each state.

The NEC would like to thank the government of Jonglei State for availing its land and acknowledge the United Nations Mission in South Sudan for their efforts in building NEC’s institutional capacity, and for their contribution to making the SHEC offices operational across the country.

“I would like to express my enthusiasm to see this project finally come to fruition and I look forward to the benefit it will yield to electoral stakeholders and the community of Jonglei state, as we lay the foundations to advance on election preparations”, highlighted Mr. Gabriel Bol Deng, Secretary-General of the National Elections Commission.

The National Elections Commission (NEC) convened a roundtable discussion on 29th May 2025 in Juba with civil society representatives from across South Sudan to engage in an interactive dialogue on the legal, technical, financial and security challenges that must be urgently addressed in order to make positive progress toward preparations for a credible and inclusive electoral process. Over 50 civil society representatives from all ten (10) states, Administrative Areas Ruweng and Pibor participated in the discussion – in addition to Juba-based representatives and faith-based groups.

With support from the UN Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN IEAT), the dialogue provided an opportunity for discourse on electoral timeline challenges, in addition to legal and political clarity needed for the electoral process to move forward. 

The three thematic panel discussions, including panelists from NEC, UN IEAT and civil society, were moderated by Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), which focused on: (i) political decisions and legal clarifications needed, taking into account clarity needed on the Constitution-making Process timeline, population data and census related issues; (ii) technical challenges on options and timing considerations for voter registration, boundary delimitation, candidate nomination and urgent need for financial resources; and (iii) the conditions of creating an environment conducive for elections, including the necessity of civic, political space and its relation to election security and the prevention of electoral-related violence.

The roundtable dialogue concluded with the NEC and CSOs agreeing to a set of calls to action outlined in a Communiqué. The crux of these action points centered around the need for the transitional government and parties to the R-ARCSS to urgently meet and discuss key issues related to the way forward, including: clarity on legal framework and political decisions to be taken on issues such as the sequence of constitution-making process vis-à-vis electoral timeline, and what population data to be used for constituency delimitation.  The civil society representatives called for actions to be taken to open civic and political space, including guaranteeing the security conditions for the process to advance with full and free participation of all electoral stakeholders.

The National Elections Commission (NEC) on the 26th of May 2025, officially inaugurated the State High Electoral Committee (SHEC) office for Central Equatoria State in Juba, marking a significant step toward South Sudan’s long-awaited general elections scheduled for December 2026.

The event, held in Hai Game, was officiated by Chief Electoral Officer Hon. Mac Maika Deng and brought together senior national and international dignitaries. In attendance were H.E Gen. Kuol Manyang Senior Presidential Advisor and chairperson of the National Transitional Committee (NTC), H.E. Paulino Lukudu Obede, the Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State; Hon. Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol Chairperson of NEC, Hon Eng, James Akol Zakayo the Chairperson of the Political Parties Council (PPC), Amb. Maj. Gen. (Rtd) George Owinow, Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC); and Mr. Darren Nance, Head of the United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UNIEAT).

The Chairperson in his remarks, Prof. Akok emphasized the importance of the new office in enhancing coordination at the state level and engaging with electoral stakeholders, including voters, political parties, civil society, media, and observer groups.
Akok also mentioned that the commission has renovated offices in several states, including Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and Warrap, with plans to open them soon.The Central Equatoria office is one of six SHEC offices completed as part of NEC’s national renovation program supported by UNIEAT.

He also cited a recent meeting with President H.E Gen Salva Kiir, who he said reaffirmed the government’s commitment to holding elections before the end of the transitional period.

While acknowledging these achievements, Prof. Akok also noted the challenges ahead, particularly in terms of legal clarity and resource mobilization. He reiterated the Commission’s call for collective responsibility among national actors and support from international partners.

“The opening of this office is more than symbolic—it is a concrete step toward delivering free, fair, and credible elections for the people of South Sudan,” he said. “Together, we can ensure a peaceful and democratic transition before the end of the transitional period.

Each of the dignitaries delivered remarks highlighting the significance of the office and reaffirming their support for peaceful, transparent, and inclusive elections. The ceremony concluded with a keynote address by Gen. Kuol Manyang Senior Presidential Advisor and chairperson of the National Transitional Committee (NTC).

On 13^th May 2025, Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel held a consultative meeting with the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol, to discuss ongoing preparations for the upcoming general elections scheduled in December 2026 – with particular focus on delivering credible and timely elections.

During the meeting, Prof. Akok presented a comprehensive progress report, outlining key milestones achieved over the past two years and the roadmap ahead as South Sudan approaches a defining moment in its democratic trajectory.

Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel reaffirmed the full support of the Government of His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit in ensuring NEC is adequately resourced and empowered to fulfil its mandate.

He further emphasized the conduct of peaceful, fair, and credible elections is not only a national obligation but also essential to democratic growth and sustainable stability.  The Vice President urged all institutions, stakeholders, and citizens to unite in the spirit of patriotism in this vital endeavor. The success of these elections depends on a collective commitment to ensure that every South Sudanese voice is heard, every vote counts, and that together, we build a future rooted in peace, democracy, and inclusive governance.

The Media Authority and the National Communication Authority (NCA) co-chaired a Stakeholders’ workshop held on 7^th May 2025 at Telecom House, Juba, under the theme “Unpacking Elections Media Communication Matrix”.  The event brought together key institutions including South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), the Information Commission and the Universal Service Access Fund (USAF), with guidance from the Competent Minister of ICT and Postal Services.

The workshop focused on the upcoming General Elections process to ensure transparency, inclusivity and credibility to reflect the democratic aspirations of the South Sudanese people. The program was centered around enhancing voter education to ensure that every eligible citizen is well-informed about their rights and responsibilities. It also aimed to promote peaceful participation by fostering an environment of tolerance and respect. Another strategy was designed to combat misinformation, providing accurate and reliable information to counter false narratives; and furthermore, to ensuring equitable media access to all political parties and empowering citizens to make informed decisions.

The workshop brought together representatives from a diverse range of stakeholder groups which included National Election Commission, Political Parties, Civil Society Organizations, Media Fraternity, UN Agencies, Donors, Academia, Government and Law Enforcement Agencies.

Opening remarks were delivered by senior government officials and stakeholders including Hon. George Lemi Yata (Spokesperson – National Election Commission), Hon. Oliver Mori Benjamin (Spokesperson – Transitional National Legislative Assembly), Hon. Elijah Alier Kuai (Managing Director, Media Authority) and Edmund Yakani (Executive Director – Community Empowerment for Progress Organization);  among others.

This collaborative initiative demonstrated a unified commitment to strengthening media engagement and access to information during election.

On 8 April 2025, the National Elections Commission (NEC) held a consultative meeting with civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Central Equatoria State (CES) to discuss the NEC’s electoral mandate and potential areas for cooperation between the NEC and CSOs. This meeting, hosted by the NEC State High Election Committee (SHEC) in CES, was the first convened by the NEC with state-level CSOs in this state. It followed a national-level consultative meeting between the NEC and CSOs in January, as well as nine (9) similar meetings held in each state of South Sudan during March 2025.

This one-day event brought together 48 representatives from state-level CSOs such as community and faith-based groups, youth and women’s organizations, networks for persons with disabilities, and media representatives. The primary objective was to enhance public awareness of the electoral process and to strengthen relationships and partnerships between the NEC, SHECs, and CSOs. Notably, the event exhibited excellent inclusiveness, with 50% of participants being women.

The NEC Chief Electoral Officer, Hon. Mac Maika Deng, officially opened the meeting and shared the progress and challenges of the election preparations. These challenges primarily relate to aligning the electoral timeline, the constitution-making process, and census timelines, as well as the necessity for political and legal clarity and financing. 

The Chairperson of the CES SHEC, Alphayo Philip Lako, introduced participants to the meeting agenda, which covered topics such as civic and voter education, voter registration, and overall election preparations at both the national and state levels. Additional subjects included the inclusiveness of the electoral process, the neutrality of NEC and SHEC members, capacity building for electoral stakeholders, and collaboration in the electoral process.

After the NEC and SHEC presented the framework for the electoral process, the CSO representatives discussed their activities and potential areas for support and collaboration with the NEC and SHEC.

During group work sessions, participants identified challenges regarding the upcoming elections and proposed collaborative solutions. Subsequently, these points were presented and discussed with the entire plenary. The discussions yielded valuable insights that the SHEC members gratefully received.

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At the end of the meeting, the NEC and SHECs committed to convening regularly to share information on the electoral process and to maximise the essential role of CSOs as extended arms for civic and voter information, as well as being observers and watchdogs of the process. The CSO participants pledged to strengthen their collaboration with the election management body to ensure transparency and a coordinated approach to the electoral process. They also committed to supporting comprehensive public awareness campaigns related to civic and voter education once they receive clarity on the way forward.

The UN Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UNIEAT), which includes the UNMISS Electoral Assistance Division and the UNDP South Sudan Electoral Support Project, provided both technical and financial support for the meetings.