JUBA, South Sudan – President Salva Kiir signed the revised National Elections Act late Monday, removing the requirement that a permanent constitution and a national census be completed before the country can hold its first general election since independence in 2011. The administration hailed the changes as a “major milestone” in preparing for the December 22, 2026 vote.
Key provisions of the amendment
The new law aligns the election framework with the transitional constitution and eliminates the previously‑mandated census and permanent‑constitution triggers. It also clarifies the continuity of government: the incumbent executive retains full constitutional powers throughout the election period until a newly elected president is sworn in.
Under the amendment, the first vice president and other vice presidents must vacate office three months before election day, ensuring a level playing field. The size of the National Legislative Assembly is reduced from 650 to 270 members, while state assemblies shrink from 100 to 58 seats and legislative councils in administrative areas will have 20 members each.
Government rationale
Presidential affairs minister Africano Mande Gedima explained that the reforms were needed to “align the election law with the transitional constitution” and to remove provisions that had stalled the process for years. He emphasized that the changes provide a clear, constitutional path to a peaceful, credible election.
Kiir’s office called the signing “another major milestone” in the nation’s transition, underscoring the administration’s commitment to delivering a democratic vote despite lingering challenges.
Opposition reaction
The South Sudan Opposition Alliance, a signatory to the 2018 peace agreement, rejected the amendments, claiming they were adopted without adequate consultation among the parties to the agreement. Riek Machar, leader of the main opposition SPLM‑IO and currently under house arrest, has not commented on the specific changes but continues to contest the broader political environment.
Critics also note that voter registration has not yet begun, and the recent replacement of the head of the elections commission—made without public explanation—raises questions about the transparency of the process.
Calls for peace
Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation, urged all leaders to settle differences peacefully, stating, “Don’t return us to war. Sort out your political differences through non‑violent means.” The administration reiterated its dedication to a peaceful transition, citing the reforms as a step toward ending the cycle of conflict that has plagued the nation since the 2013 civil war.
South Sudan’s transitional period, established under the 2018 peace agreement, has faced repeated delays in meeting benchmarks such as drafting a permanent constitution and conducting a census. The new legislation seeks to move the country forward by focusing on the electoral timeline rather than on unfinished structural tasks.
What’s next?
With the legal framework now in place, the government will need to launch voter registration, finalize electoral logistics, and ensure that the elections commission operates independently and transparently. International observers and donor nations have expressed cautious optimism, noting that the removal of constitutional and census conditions could accelerate the path to a credible election, provided that the process remains inclusive and free from intimidation.
As South Sudan approaches its first national vote in over a decade, the world will be watching to see whether President Kiir’s reforms translate into a peaceful, democratic transition that honors the 2018 peace accord and offers hope for lasting stability.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
