South Sudan Pushes for Electoral Law Amendments Ahead of Vote

The South Sudanese government has formally requested that Parliament expedite amendments to the National Election Act to secure the legal basis for upcoming general elections. With the voting date set for December 22, 2026, officials aim to solidify the electoral framework by clarifying constituency boundaries and detaching the process from pending national census activities. This move seeks to prevent legal ambiguities from disrupting the final stages of electoral preparation.

Government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny emphasized on Sunday, September 13, that the legislative update is critical for maintaining the 102 geographical constituencies established during the 2010 elections. According to the executive branch, remaining parliamentary seats will be distributed through party lists and specific quotas for women, youth, minorities, and persons with disabilities. The administration argues that this structure ensures inclusivity while providing a stable administrative foundation for the vote.

Constituency Framework Relies on 2010 Data

The National Election Commission officially declared these 102 constituencies in December 2025, distributing them across the country’s ten states and three administrative areas. The commission noted that the reliance on 2010 delineation data was necessary due to the absence of a new national census. By separating the electoral timeline from the constitutional review and census processes, authorities aim to keep the election schedule on track despite ongoing demographic challenges.

Preparatory activities are currently underway in various regions, with the Electoral Commission initiating training for local electoral committees in early September. These committees are tasked with preparing for voter registration, a process that has already commenced in Western Equatoria. However, as of early September, the commission indicated that a comprehensive electoral register had not yet been established nationwide.

Registration Process Remains Manual and Paper-Based

According to recent announcements, the voter registration process will be conducted through a manual, in-person, paper-based system across the country. This approach is intended to precede the eventual data entry into digital computer systems. The decision to adopt a hybrid method reflects the current logistical constraints and the need to ensure broad participation in areas with limited digital infrastructure.

Tensions Surround International Observations

The legislative push coincides with diplomatic friction regarding the integrity of the electoral preparations. The government recently challenged warnings issued by the United Nations Human Rights Commission concerning the readiness of the election infrastructure. Juba rejected these criticisms on September 11, reaffirming its commitment to holding the December vote as scheduled. According to GN geopolitics/politics (en-US), this dispute highlights the continued sensitivity surrounding external oversight of South Sudan’s democratic transition.