South Sudan's National Elections Commission says it has produced 98 per cent of the materials needed for voter registration, as preparations gather pace for the general elections scheduled for 22 December 2026.

Centres and staffing

Commission chairperson Gabriel Bol Deng told journalists that the electoral body has established its headquarters and operational offices across the country and is now focused on the final stages of preparation. He described an election as a process rather than a one-day affair, requiring trained staff, infrastructure and careful logistical planning long before polling day.

The commission has identified 3,161 voter registration centres across the country, with seven workers expected at each centre, pointing to a workforce of more than 22,000 personnel, alongside security officers and support services. Chief Electoral Officer Mary Ajith disclosed that five states have so far received their registration materials, while distribution to the remaining states is still under way.

A first election since independence

The December vote is expected to be the first general election held in South Sudan since the country gained independence in 2011. Officials face a tight timetable to register voters in person and on paper across all ten states and the three administrative areas.

The commission has stressed that registration has not yet started anywhere in the country and that no voter has been registered. Citizens should wait for the official public notice announcing registration dates, centres and identification requirements, rather than relying on figures circulating on social media. Funding shortages remain a worry, and the commission has appealed for continued government and partner support to complete civic education and logistics in time.