Torit, Eastern Equatoria State, 31 July 2026 – The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, H.E. Gen. Louis Lobong Lojore, has opened the office of the State High Elections Committee in Torit and told it to begin civic and voter education across the state without delay.
Cutting the ribbon at the new premises, the Governor called the opening a step towards the general elections and towards constitutional order in South Sudan. The office, he said, is a sign that the state government wants the people of Eastern Equatoria involved in deciding the country’s future.
He asked the committee to take civic and voter education into every county, payam and boma. Citizens need to understand the electoral process, know their rights and see why the vote matters, he said. The elections give South Sudan a chance to strengthen its democracy and build institutions that answer to the public.
Turning to the economy, Governor Lobong said a democratic transition also opens the way to more accountable use of public resources and to the reforms the country needs for recovery.
He told the committee to work professionally, independently and transparently. Every party and every candidate should be treated alike, and no eligible voter should be left off the register.
The Governor called on political parties in Eastern Equatoria to campaign peacefully and within the law, without intimidation or harassment. Democracy works, he said, when citizens can hear competing views and choose freely at the ballot box.
He appealed to security institutions, traditional authorities, religious leaders, youth, women, civil society organizations and the media to work together to keep the state calm through the electoral period.
He closed by asking citizens to reject violence, hate speech and tribalism, and to settle their differences through dialogue and respect for the law. Eastern Equatoria, he said, intends to be an example of peaceful democratic participation.
The ceremony was attended by members of the State High Elections Committee, state government officials, community and traditional leaders, religious leaders, civil society organizations, development partners and political stakeholders from across Eastern Equatoria.