NEC identifies 3,161 voter registration centres ahead of December polls

The National Elections Commission (NEC) has identified 3,161 planned voter registration centres across South Sudan, with 22,127 personnel expected to be deployed to support the nationwide exercise ahead of the December 2026 general elections.

According to the commission, each registration centre will be staffed by seven personnel, while 82,962 registration books have been prepared for the exercise.

NEC Chairperson Gabriel Bol Deng made the announcement during the closing of a two-day induction training for returning officers in Juba on Sunday, November 8.

Bol urged the 26 returning officers to strengthen coordination, teamwork and accountability as preparations for the elections continue.

He also called on them to mobilise eligible voters and ensure that registration centres are accessible to citizens in their respective areas.

The commission pledged to provide support, including internet services, following concerns raised by participants over transport, equipment, accommodation, medical services and security.

The training was conducted under Constitutional Amendment No. 13 and the National Elections Act 2012, as amended in 2026. The officers are expected to return to their respective areas on Monday to continue preparations for voter registration.

South Sudan is scheduled to hold its first general elections since independence on December 22, 2026, following several postponements during the country’s transitional period.

The NEC has already started distributing election materials to different parts of the country. On November 2, the commission delivered the first batch of materials to the Central Equatoria State High Elections Committee.

Reports on November 5 indicated that more than 13,000 registration books had been distributed to five areas: Unity State, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Greater Pibor, Ruweng and Abyei.

Meanwhile, the commission has warned the public against a fake online voter registration link circulating on social media.

NEC Commissioner Josephine Achiro Fortelo said the commission had not developed any website or mobile application for online voter registration, clarifying that eligible citizens must register physically at designated centres.

She also said the commission had not yet decided whether South Sudanese living abroad would be allowed to participate in the elections.