Experts warn of time pressure on NEC as constitution and census deadlines loom

JUBA – South Sudan’s National Election Commission (NEC) is under increasing pressure to meet critical deadlines as experts warn that the ongoing constitution-making process and the upcoming national census could derail preparations for the 2026 general elections.

With only two years remaining, concerns are growing over whether the NEC will have enough time to ensure the necessary legal and logistical frameworks are in place.

Speaking during the opening session of a four-day induction workshop for state high election committee members on Tuesday, the head of the UN Integrated Electoral Assistance team in South Sudan, Darren S. Nance, highlighted the time challenges that the NEC could face.

The UN official noted that most countries begin preparations for elections at least two years in advance.

“While two years sounds like a long time, the reality is that it is a short amount of time. Most countries start a process to get elections two or more years in advance of election themselves,” Nance said.

Nance, who also serves as the UNMISS Principal Affairs Officer, emphasized that South Sudan is no exception to this rule. He warned that the constitution-making process could take up to 18 months, potentially clashing with the timetable for the upcoming elections.

“Well, if the constitution-making process is 18 months long and there is only a two-year extension, then there is a problem for the Elections Commission,” Nance explained. “Because that would mean that they [EC] don’t know what the legal framework is until 18, 19, or 20 months from now.”

He added that the uncertainty surrounding the legal framework casts doubt on whether the elections could realistically be held in December 2026.

“Well, that is impossible – if you are planning for December 2026 elections… these are some of the immediate challenges that the nation faces,” he told senior election committee members.

Nance further pointed out that, according to the electoral timetable, a national census is due to be conducted within the next 16 months, which presents additional challenges if boundary delimitation is required.

He stressed that, under South Sudanese law, boundary delimitation must be conducted at least one year before the election date.

Nance urged the NEC to engage civil society, political decision-makers, and parties to the 2018 peace agreement to address the obstacles that could hinder the planned 2026 general elections.

He pledged the support of the UN team in helping the NEC develop realistic timelines, implementation plans, and capacity-building measures.

“For instance, voter registration – budget for voter registration and procurement plans, voter education, lobby for funds, and how to kick-start the operation,” Nance said.

In response, NEC Chairperson Abednego Akok emphasized that the decision to hold elections or not ultimately rests with political leaders, not the election commission.

“We know the consequences of the election now, constitution review in a number of months, and census in a number of months. How do we compromise? This is not our work, it is the work of political leaders,” Akok said.

He added that the NEC must be adequately prepared during the extended transitional period to ensure electoral readiness.

Akok also expressed concerns over what he described as a complicated ten-point document, asserting that commission members must thoroughly familiarize themselves with it, as well as the National Election Act.