Elections bill passed and signed within hours, parliament set at 270 seats for upcoming poll
South Sudan’s National Legislature has passed the National Elections Act, 2012 Amendment Bill 2026, with President Salva Kiir Mayardit assenting to the legislation within hours on Monday, paving the way for the December 2026 general elections.
More than 25 lawmakers participated in deliberations on the bill, according to National Legislature spokesperson Oliver Mori, who said the number of members of the National Legislative Assembly was among the main issues debated.
Mori said that during the third reading, 12 members contributed to the debate, with seven speaking in favour of a 270-member Parliament and five supporting 332 members.
“Seven of them spoke in favour of 270 members for the Parliament which will be elected by December 22nd. So if we are considering the number of debate of the members, then what is carried by the Parliament is not 332, but they have carried the 270 as an amendment.”
Mori said Parliament ultimately proceeded with the 270-member figure.
The bill was then signed into law by President Salva Kiir on the same day, completing the legislative and presidential processes within hours.
The Office of the President said the amended law provides a streamlined legal framework for the upcoming elections and harmonizes provisions of the Elections Act with the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan.
Under the amended law, the National Legislative Assembly will comprise 270 members, while each State Legislative Assembly will have 58 members, and each Administrative Area Legislative Council will have 20 members.
The law also provides clear rules for the allocation of parliamentary seats and defines the operational mandate of High Elections Committees across the states and administrative areas.
Another provision allows the National Elections Commission to proceed with preparations for the elections without the permanent constitution-making process and the national population and housing census being prerequisites.
The amended law further provides for continuity of executive authority during the election period, allowing the incumbent president to remain in office and exercise constitutional powers until the elected president assumes office.
The Office of the President described the signing as a significant step in South Sudan’s democratic transition.
“With the legal framework taking shape and the National Elections Commission advancing preparations, the Government says its focus is now on ensuring that South Sudanese citizens are able to exercise their democratic right and choose their representatives through the ballot in December 2026.
The legislation therefore provides the legal framework for the conduct of the December 2026 elections, including the election of the 270-member National Legislative Assembly.
