SSHRDN Welcomes South Sudan's First Voter Education Campaign in Decades

• The National Voter Education Campaign was officially launched by the National Elections Commission (NEC) in South Sudan.
• The campaign aims to empower citizens with knowledge required for meaningful participation in the country's first elections in over a decade.
• SSHRDN has commended the NEC and all stakeholders involved in launching the campaign, urging sustained collaboration to ensure that voter education reaches every corner of the country.

The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN) has welcomed the launch of the National Voter Education Campaign, which aims to empower citizens with knowledge required for meaningful participation in the country's first elections in over a decade. The campaign, under the theme 'Your Vote is Your Future,' was officially launched by the National Elections Commission (NEC). SSHRDN sees this as a critical milestone in South Sudan's democratic transition and an opportunity to equip citizens with the skills to make informed choices, understand their rights and responsibilities, and reject misinformation.

The network has commended the NEC and all stakeholders involved in launching the campaign, urging sustained collaboration to ensure that voter education reaches every corner of the country. SSHRDN also emphasized the importance of targeting marginalized groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, returnees, rural communities, and others, to ensure no eligible citizen is left behind.

The emphasis on protecting civic space and promoting peaceful participation in the voter education campaign has significant implications for freedom of expression and assembly. Lawyers advising clients in South Sudan should note that an enabling civic and political environment, where these rights are fully respected, is essential for meaningful voter participation. As James Bidal, Head of SSHRDN Secretariat, stated, 'Voter education cannot flourish where fear prevails.' This underscores the importance of protecting civic space as a fundamental aspect of electoral integrity.

The campaign's focus on empowering citizens to understand their role in shaping South Sudan's future highlights the need for an informed and engaged citizenry. SSHRDN has called upon all actors to protect civic space, promote peaceful participation, and ensure that these elections become a milestone for unity, accountability, and lasting peace.

The National Voter Education Campaign marks a crucial step towards South Sudan's democratic transition. By equipping citizens with the knowledge required to participate meaningfully in the electoral process, the campaign aims to address the country's history of electoral irregularities and promote electoral integrity. SSHRDN's emphasis on protecting civic space and promoting peaceful participation underscores the importance of creating an enabling environment for voter education.

The success of this campaign will depend on sustained collaboration among stakeholders, including the NEC, civil society organizations, and community leaders. By working together to ensure that voter education reaches every corner of the country, particularly marginalized groups, South Sudan can take a significant step towards consolidating its democratic gains.

Lawyers advising clients in South Sudan should note that the campaign's emphasis on protecting civic space and promoting peaceful participation may have implications for freedom of expression and assembly, which could impact electoral integrity.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Tamazuj