R-JMEC welcomes reconstitution of electoral institutions

JUBA, NOV. 9, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the body mandated to monitor South Sudan’s revitalized peace agreement, on Thursday welcomed the reconstitution of the key electoral institutions.

In presidential decrees last week, President Salva Kiir Mayardit reconstituted the National Elections Commission (NEC), the Political Parties Council (PPC), and the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC).

Speaking at the RJMEC monthly plenary meeting in Juba on Thursday, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said the reconstitution of the three bodies is essential for the opening of civic space and the conduct of free and fair elections in December next year.

“Much is expected of them. I would therefore like to highlight some of the aspects of their critical roles regarding South Sudan’s democratic transition,” her said.

“In particular, the PPC is mandated to register, monitor, and regulate the activities of political parties, the NCRC will drive forward the permanent constitution-making process, and the NEC will undertake preparations for the conduct of elections,” he added.

Gituai, however, noted that the parties had violated the 35% representation reserved for women while appointing officials to the three bodies.

“Our preliminary analysis of the appointees to these institutions reveals that overall, the reconstituted PPC attained 50 percent women representation,” Gituai said.

“However, the women’s presentation in the reconstituted NCRC is 33 percent, and in the reconstituted NEC, it is 22 percent.

“The RJMEC reiterates its appeal to the parties to always adhere to the 35% minimum representation for women in various institutions and bodies of the peace agreement,” he added.