No evidence of sufficient preparation for credible elections: RJMEC
May 23, 2024 (JUBA) – There is still no evidence of sufficient preparation for the conduct of elections and implementation of critical election-related tasks in South Sudan with barely seven months to the polls, the head of peace monitoring body (RJMEC) Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said.
He was speaking at the opening of the meeting held in Juba on Thursday.
Amb. Gituai, in his assessment of the Revitalised Peace Agreement, said these critical tasks, among others, include the full operationalisation and funding of the Political Parties Council (PPC), the National Elections Commission (NEC), and the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC), completion of Phase I and Phase II unification of forces, and making of a permanent constitution to guide the conduct of elections.
He said the conduct by the NEC of elections-related such as establishment of subsidiary electoral management bodies at the state level, the establishment of procedures for the voter registry and registration, and support to civic education and voter outreach, the publication of the voters register six months prior to the holding of elections, are also pending.
The official further said that other pending tasks to be completed, include judicial reform process, review of the judiciary Act and establishment of the Constitutional Court and the enactment of the revised National Security Service Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 to, among others, create an enabling civic and political space for citizens’ participation in governance.
The Interim Chairperson appealed to the Transitional Government and the Parties to dialogue in a collegial manner, build consensus, provide regular updates and a way forward on elections and complete the deployment of the unified forces and commence Phase II, without further delay.
“Overall, it is important to underline that four years into the Transitional Period, relative progress has been made in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. All efforts should therefore be made to consolidate the peace gains, and lay a firm foundation for lasting peace, development and prosperity for the people of South Sudan,” he concluded.
As South Sudan prepares for elections scheduled for December 2024, there is anxiety about whether the country is prepared for such an important democratic milestone. The country has not conducted a census that is crucial to determining the constituencies and representation in its parliament and locally.
(ST)