USAP Calls South Sudan Electoral Bodies Reconstitution: Demands Inclusive 2026 Election Process

• The United Sudan African Party (USAP) has called for the reconstitution of South Sudan's National Elections Commission (NEC) and Political Parties Council (PPC).
• USAP emphasized that this reconstitution must be inclusive and consultative to build confidence among all political parties ahead of the December 2026 general elections.
• The party also advocated for clear, publicly available electoral procedures, equal political space, and transparent voter registration, with a focus on vulnerable populations.
• These demands were presented by USAP's legal affairs secretary, Bullen Isaiah Kulang Mabor, during the ongoing Inter-Party Dialogue in Juba.
• USAP stressed that the elections should serve as a step in implementing the 2018 peace agreement, not a replacement for it, and urged the protection of political freedoms.

The party stressed that the credibility of the upcoming elections hinges not solely on polling day activities but on the integrity and conduct of the entire electoral process.

The United Sudan African Party (USAP) has publicly advocated for the comprehensive reconstitution of South Sudan's National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Political Parties Council (PPC). This call, made by Bullen Isaiah Kulang Mabor, USAP's secretary for legal affairs, emphasized the necessity of an inclusive and consultative process to ensure these critical electoral bodies command the confidence of all political parties. The party's position was articulated during the ongoing Inter-Party Dialogue on election-related matters in Juba, where Mabor presented USAP's stance regarding the general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026, on behalf of Chairman Professor Ajang Bior.

This demand for `South Sudan NEC PPC reconstitution` comes amidst a broader national conversation initiated by President Salva Kiir, who launched the two-week Inter-Party Dialogue on September 24 at the National Legislative Assembly. The dialogue convenes Juba-based political parties and other national stakeholders to foster consensus on election-related issues. President Kiir, who recently removed Abednego Akok Kacuol as NEC chairperson and appointed Gabriel Bol Deng Majok, the commission’s former secretary-general, to the role, urged participants to maintain focus on electoral matters to pave a common path toward peaceful and credible elections.

Beyond the structural reform of electoral bodies, USAP outlined a series of specific requirements for enhancing the integrity and fairness of the electoral process. The party asserted that an independent and impartial electoral commission is fundamental to guaranteeing equitable treatment for all political parties and candidates. To this end, USAP called for the establishment of clear and publicly accessible procedures governing every stage of the election cycle, including voter registration, candidate nominations, campaigning, polling, vote counting, tabulation, the declaration of results, and `South Sudan electoral dispute resolution`.

Furthermore, the `United Sudan African Party electoral reform` agenda includes ensuring equal political space for all recognized parties, facilitating their access to political meetings, public rallies, media platforms, and other campaign activities. USAP specifically urged the NEC to implement transparent and accessible voter registration, paying particular attention to internally displaced persons, returnees, refugees, women, young people, and individuals with disabilities. The party also advocated for the presence of international observers to monitor the entire electoral process, from initial voter registration through to the final announcement of results, reinforcing the need for robust oversight.

USAP views the upcoming elections as an integral component of the 2018 peace agreement's implementation, rather than a substitute for the ongoing peace process. The party insisted that the remaining provisions of the peace accord must continue to be implemented even after the elections conclude. This perspective underscores the interconnectedness of political transition and sustained peace in South Sudan. Additionally, USAP called for the continuation of the permanent constitution-making process and the establishment of a clear timeline for conducting a national population and housing census, both crucial elements for long-term stability and governance.

The party stressed that the credibility of the upcoming elections hinges not solely on polling day activities but on the integrity and conduct of the entire electoral process. This encompasses transparent voter registration, broad political participation, robust security measures, accurate counting and tabulation, timely announcement of results, and effective `South Sudan electoral dispute resolution`. USAP supports peaceful, inclusive, transparent, and credible elections, provided they are conducted within a clear `South Sudan 2026 election legal framework` and administered by an impartial body. The party also emphasized the vital importance of protecting fundamental political freedoms, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, to ensure a truly democratic exercise.

Lawyers advising political parties or candidates in South Sudan should closely monitor the ongoing inter-party dialogue and any proposed reconstitution of the NEC and PPC. Changes to these bodies and their procedures could significantly alter the legal framework for the upcoming 2026 elections, impacting client strategy, compliance, and electoral dispute resolution.

Source: Original reporting via external news agency