Lack of preparedness likely to affect smooth elections: R-JMEC
October 5, 2023 (JUBA) – The lack of sufficient progress and clarity on elections-preparedness creating uncertainly over the conduct of a smooth and successful election in South Sudan, the peace monitoring body said.
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) chair, Maj. Gen. Amb. Charles Tai Gituai on Thursday cited the constitution-making and unification of forces as critical for credible elections to be held.
He was speaking during the R-JMEC’s 32nd monthly meeting held in Juba.
With about 14 months to the much-anticipated elections, Amb. Gituai said, “a lot of work still remains to be done to complete the critical pending tasks necessary to effect South Sudan’s democratic transition”.
He added, “It is imperative for the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to provide to the people of South Sudan clarity on election preparedness”.
Amb. Gituai urged the country’s leadership to conduct civic education, fast-track the permanent constitution-making process and promote political and civic space to allow citizens exercise their democratic rights.
“It is incumbent on the country’s leadership to consolidate the peace dividends to all its diverse communities through a democratic transition,” he stressed.
According to the official, the passage of National Elections Act 2012 (Amendment) Bill 2023 by the reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), and its subsequent assent by the president was “an important step in realising the democratic aspirations of the people of South Sudan.”
He called on the parties to the agreement to dialogue among themselves and agree on the practical steps to fast-track the implementation of the roadmap to ensure the timely conduct of elections.
Amb. Gituai further said there is need to ensure that women’s representation in the political process attains the minimum 35% threshold, including in the constitution-making bodies and the other institutions and commissions being reconstituted.
In August last year, South Sudan’s leaders signed a two-year extension of the transitional government, in a move foreign partners warned as lacking legitimacy.
This was the second time the parties extended the country’s transitional period.
In July, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom said the young nation could still make significant strides towards this December 2024 target to hold elections with political will, adequate resourcing and commitment to create an appropriate political environment.
(ST)