The United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN-IEAT) provided technical support in the development of www.nec.gov.ss which will function as a channel for updates on electoral preparations, decisions, and regulations.
Speaking at the launch, George Lemi Stans Yata, NEC commissioner and spokesperson, said the website will ease access to vital election-related information for public consumption.
“We are excited to launch this website that will be a key channel for the public to receive accurate and up-to-date information on a regular basis on electoral preparations,” Lemi stated.
The launch of the website comes after a three-day consultative planning meeting held in Entebbe, Uganda, from December 3-5, 2024.
The outcome of the meetings was a communiqué and a set of seven action points, which presented a coherent position to guide the next set of engagements with the government and other stakeholders aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the electoral process.
One of the main resolutions emphasized the urgent need for legal reform and clarity within the electoral legal framework essential for holding credible elections.
To address operational challenges in the electoral process, the commission has committed to developing a detailed list of necessary amendments to submit to political leadership and lawmakers for consideration.
Another major focus of the meeting was the importance of political, financial, and operational decisions being finalized in early 2025.
This will enable the progression of preparations, which includes the planned nationwide voter registration drive for late 2025.
In line with this, the NEC is also working to develop a realistic electoral operational timeline to guide the electoral process.
During the meeting, the NEC commissioners also signed and adopted three key regulations. These included the NEC Code of Conduct, which governs the organization's professional and ethical conduct, as well as regulations on observers, media, and party representatives, and finally, on the election campaign.
According to Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol, NEC chairperson, the Code of Conduct is an important step in demonstrating the seriousness of the Commission's commitment to transparency.
“Codes of Conduct are important to Election Management Bodies around the globe to publicly display the seriousness and professional, ethical behavior expected of all representatives of the National Elections Commission of South Sudan,” Akok asserted.
“This is one example of holding ourselves accountable to the public trust given to us and this institution.”
The new website, which will serve as a central source of information as the nation gets ready for its first-ever elections in December 2026, further emphasizes the NEC's commitment to transparency and public engagement.