South Sudan: NCAC commences review of National Elections Act

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National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) commenced the review of South Sudan’s National Elections Act 2012 in accordance with the 2018 revitalized peace deal.

Explaining the essence of the review, the chairman of the Revitalized Joint Monitoring Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai, said the amendments to the National Elections Act will help in ensuring free and fair elections in the Republic of South Sudan.

In his words:

“The amended National Elections Act will not only conform with the revitalized peace agreement, but it contains sufficient guarantees for the establishment of independent institutions and mechanisms to ensure the conduct and delivery of free and fair elections in the Republic of South Sudan.”

The Deputy Speaker for the Council of States, Mary Ayen Majok Kiir, also said the review of the document is key to the healthy conduct of the national elections in the country.

“This review and amendment will make this document conform to the revitalized peace agreement,” she said, adding. “I extend my appreciation to the NCAC for mobilizing both the experts and the relevant stakeholders regarding the review and amendment of this very important document that will govern the process of our national elections at the end of the transitional period.”

Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol, the chairperson of the National Elections Commission, stated that the law will give way to the formation of a reconstituted elections body.

“After the amendment of the Act, other issues which are very constitutional and very important with peace will follow,” Prof. Akok said. “Among them will be the need for reconstitution of the commission.”