Oyet says NEC ‘setting stage to rig’ elections

JUBA – The deputy chair of South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), Oyet Nathaniel, has accused the National Elections Commission (NEC) of preparing to rig the upcoming elections.

NEC chair Abednego Akok Kachuol appointed high-election committees for the states and named their chairs last week.

Despite criticism from the SPLM-IO and some commission members, Akok announced yesterday that the committee members would be sworn in today.

Reacting to the announcement, Oyet Nathaniel who is also the first deputy speaker of parliament described it as preparation for rigging of the elections scheduled for December 2024 and criticized the chair for the alleged illegal appointment of state committee chairs.

“Setting stage to rig elections. Swearing in those members of SHC appointed by the Chairman of the National Elections Commission and not that appointed by the Commission through a competitive recruitment,” Oyet wrote on Facebook.

“South Sudan [is] truly in a trajectory of confusion and a free fall. We shall not accept this self-styled Commission and lawlessness!” he added.