Three political parties have called for the removal of the Chairperson of the Political Parties Council (PPC), accusing him of unlawfully altering their registration records and changing the leaders officially recognised by the electoral body.
The National Democratic Movement (NDM), South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC) and Federal Democratic Party (FDP) made the demand in a joint statement issued in Juba on Wednesday.
The parties said a new list of registered political parties circulating in Juba showed changes to the leadership of the three parties, as well as an alteration to the FDP logo.
They said the changes were made after the PPC had previously registered and publicly recognised the parties under different leaders.
The dispute emerged after the number of registered political parties reportedly increased from 39 to 46, following the publication of a new list.
The parties said they contacted the PPC for clarification and were provided with PPC Order No. 5 of 2026.
According to the parties, the order granted registration to nine political entities, seven of which they allege had not completed the procedures required under the Political Parties Act.
NDM Secretary-General Bol Joseph Agau said the changes affecting NDM, SSNMC and FDP were made on the instructions of PPC Chairperson James Akol Zakayo.
NDM leader Dr Lam Akol questioned the authority of the PPC chairperson to replace the leadership of a registered political party.
“There is nowhere in the Political Parties Act where the chairperson of the Political Parties Council can change the name of a leader of one party to another person,” Akol said.
The parties argue that the PPC had already recognised their leadership when it announced the registration of the parties in June.
They further cited provisions of the Political Parties Act, 2012, as amended in 2022, saying changes to registered party information should follow established legal procedures rather than be made unilaterally by the council chairperson.
SSNMC leader Moro Isaac Genesio said the disputed changes could affect political participation ahead of the December 22 elections.
He called for intervention, arguing that the controversy could undermine confidence in the management of the electoral process.
The three parties have accused the PPC chairperson of abuse of office and demanded his removal.
They also said they reserve the right to pursue legal action to restore their registration records, party names and leadership structures.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
The PPC chairperson had not publicly responded to the accusations at the time of publication.
The dispute comes as South Sudan prepares for elections scheduled for December, with political parties currently participating in an inter-party dialogue on the electoral process.
