NEC chair visits Lam Akol amid dispute over NDM leadership

National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairperson Gabriel Bol Deng has visited the National Democratic Movement (NDM) headquarters in Juba, where he met party leader Dr Lam Akol Ajawin to discuss preparations for the December general elections.

According to the NDM, Deng visited the party’s national secretariat in Hai Seminary, Gudele, on Thursday and briefed Dr Lam on the Commission’s progress in preparing for the elections.

The party said Dr Lam welcomed the Commission’s efforts and offered guidance, including on the party’s position on the electoral process.

The visit comes amid a dispute over changes to the registered leadership of the NDM and two other opposition parties by the Political Parties Council (PPC).

On September 22, the Council named Mahjoub Biel Turok as the NDM’s authorised leader, replacing Dr Lam Akol.

The affected parties challenged the decision, accusing PPC Chairperson James Akol Zakayo of unilaterally changing their registered leadership.

The parties subsequently submitted a notice of intention to sue through the Ministry of Justice, seeking legal action against the Council’s decision.

NDM Secretary of Information Kai Tap previously told Eye Radio that the parties were pursuing legal procedures to challenge the changes.

The PPC has maintained that it had not received a formal complaint from the affected parties.

The leadership dispute comes as South Sudan prepares for general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026.