Hon. Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol
Chairperson
Honorable Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol is the Honorable Chairperson of the National Elections Commission. Professor Kacuol was born in Yirol (Mapagic village), Lakes State, Sudan in 1955. He conducts the overall supervision of the NEC and presides over all Board of Commissioner meetings.
First appointed as Chairman in August 2012, Professor Kacuol represents the NEC in both national and international functions to ensure the Commission’s role in fostering and strengthening the democratic process in South Sudan…
Deputy Chairperson
Honorable Dr. Francis Luigi Adwok is the Deputy Chairperson of the National Elections Commission. Hon. Adwok was sworn in on July 3, 2026.
As Deputy Chairperson, Hon. Adwok is responsible for the supervision of general administration and finance, and of rules and regulations.
Chief Electoral Officer
Honorable Mach Maika Deng is a NEC Commissioner and acts as the Chief Electoral Officer of the Commission. He is responsible for the supervision of all electoral-related activities in accordance with the electoral law. Hon. Mach Maika is also the focal point for matters related to election security coordination and coordination with the State High Committees. Hon. Mach Maika has been CEO for the NEC since August 2012…
Spokesperson – Commissioner
Honorable George Lemi Yata is the Spokesperson of the NEC. He was born in Wau, South Sudan and spent his childhood growing up in Juba before moving to Khartoum, Sudan. He pursued his studies at Comboni and St. Augustine in Juba and Khartoum, respectively and holds an impressive academic record with a Diploma in Graphic and Website Design, a B.Sc. in Information Technology and a Diploma in Human Resources Management while in India, a Postgraduate Diploma in Peace, and Development Studies at the University of Juba…
Commissioner
Honorable Thabo Abosuh Ajang was born in Yei Town, Central Equatoria State, Sudan. She attended Malakal Shabia Banat School and graduated with a Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education. She then began teaching at Malakal Primary School (1981) before enrolling in Zagazig University in Egypt, where she earned a Degree in Education from the Faculty of Education, majoring in Geography and History (1993). She then returned to Southern Sudan and taught at Malakal Secondary School and Civil Aviation Girls (2004 – 2010).
First appointed to the NEC in April 2014, Hon. Ajang is the NEC Commissioner responsible for all matters related to the supervision of gender issues, civic and voter Education.
Commissioner
Honorable Josephine Achiro Fortelo is a Commissioner of the National Elections Commission. She completed her secondary education at Torit Day Senior Secondary School, graduating with the Sudan School Certificate (2007). She then earned a degree in Business Administration from the Catholic University of South Sudan (2013).
Hon. Achiro taught at St Josephine Bakhita Primary School of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba in 2006 before joining Radio Bakhita as a journalist in 2008. There she produced and presented news bulletins and talk shows. She led Education for Citizenship, a live programme on the rights and responsibilities of citizens. She was the station’s Programme Manager from 2009 to 2014 and its Director from 2014 to 2016. From November 2016 she was Executive Director of the Community Media Network (CoMeNet) South Sudan.
She was Secretary General of the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) and later became the Chairperson. She helped found the Cross Border Network and served as Secretary General of the Radio for Peace Network, which is supported by UNESCO. She trained journalists in gender and peace reporting.
UNESCO recognised her advocacy for media freedom and women’s leadership in South Sudan in 2016. Two years later she received the Johann-Philipp-Palm Award for Freedom of Speech and of the Press in Germany. Hon. Achiro was sworn in as a Commissioner on July 13, 2026.
Hon. Achiro is responsible for the supervision of political parties relations, civil society, and NEC contracts.
Commissioner
Honorable Sarah Daniel Gatluak was born in Nasir town, Upper Nile State, Sudan. She studied and graduated from Assas Binat in Khartoum.
After completing her studies, she entered public service and was appointed to Parliament in 2010 where she served until joining the National Election Commission as Commissioner on January 8, 2024.
Hon. Sarah is responsible for general supervision of procurement and logistical coordination.
Commissioner
Honorable Manuel Makum Matuop was born in Mayom, Unity State, the now Republic of South Sudan in 1986. He attended Comboni Primary School in Khartoum, Sudan up to 2008. He has a vibrant academic career where he graduated with a Certificate of Secondary Education from St. Augustine Secondary School in 2011 in Khartoum, Sudan. Subsequently, he earned a Bachelor (Hons.) in Community Studies and Rural Development from the University of Bhari and a M.Sc. in Community Studies and Rural Development (2024) from the University of Juba.
Hon. Matuop is responsible for the supervision of governmental relations, strategic planning, and general implementation.
Commissioner
Honorable William Kolyin Deng was born in Ram-Ater, Cueibet County Lakes State, Republic of Sudan 1964. He graduated with a technical diploma from the teachers’ institute in Shendi locality, Nahar El Nile State, Republic of Sudan in 1989 and continued to teach at the high schools in El Gezira State, central Sudan. Hon. Deng then later graduated with a bachelor degree of Education at the Sudan Open University. In 2009, Hon. Deng returned to South Sudan and was subsequently appointed as General Headmaster of Gulu Secondary School in Rumbek and later appointed as General Headmaster of Cueibet Secondary School Lakes State, where he served until his appointment to the National Elections Commission on January 3, 2023.
Hon. Deng is responsible for the supervision of the coordination with the International Communities and Non-Governmental Organizations.