The National Election Commission (NEC) has received $6 million from the government to support civic and voter education activities as preparations for South Sudan’s scheduled 2026 elections gather momentum.
Speaking in Juba, NEC Chairperson Prof. Abednego Akok Kachuol said the funding will be used to conduct voter awareness and civic education campaigns across the country’s ten states and three administrative areas, aimed at informing citizens about the electoral process and encouraging public participation.
Prof. Akok said the commission is intensifying preparations for the elections and described the release of funds as a significant step toward ensuring that voters are adequately informed ahead of the polls.
In addition to the civic education funding, the NEC disclosed that the government has provided resources to purchase the former AIDA International Hotel building, located near Medan Rainbow in Juba.
The five-storey property will serve as the commission’s new headquarters, providing additional office space and operational capacity as election activities expand.
The acquisition of the new headquarters is expected to strengthen the commission’s ability to coordinate nationwide electoral preparations, including voter registration, staff training, logistics management and public outreach programs.
The commission also announced that voter registration will commence soon, with the official launch date and operational details to be released in the coming days.
Election officials said preparations for the registration exercise are progressing, with plans underway to establish registration centers across the country.
Prof. Akok expressed confidence that the government would continue to release the remaining funds required to implement the electoral roadmap and deliver a credible election process.
The funding comes as South Sudan accelerates preparations for elections scheduled for December 2026.
The vote is expected to be the country’s first general election since gaining independence in 2011 and is widely viewed as a key milestone in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and the country’s democratic transition.
