Sheila Ponnie
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Deputy Chairperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), Nathaniel Oyet questioned the capability of the National Elections Commission to conduct the upcoming elections over credibility concerns.
Addressing the journalists in Juba Sunday, Oyet claimed the recent incident in which the Chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC), Prof Abednego Akok, was accused of micromanaging commission is a dangerous sign that erodes the confidence in the institution.
“The actions of the Chairperson of NEC have made the members of the Commission, the political parties, and the general public lose confidence in his integrity, neutrality, and his ability to conduct a peaceful, transparent, inclusive, free, fair, and credible election,” Oyet stated.
Oyet claimed that the NEC Chairperson unilaterally announced the members of the State High Committee, bypassing the Commissioners’ approval.
“This act contravenes the National Elections Act 2012, amended 2023, which states that the Commission, not the Chairperson alone, should form High Committees and appoint their members,” he said.
The chairperson also unilaterally set the election date for December 22, 2024, a move Oyet argues was made without considering several critical prerequisites.
“The announcement does not take into consideration the conduct of peaceful, transparent, inclusive, free, fair, and credible elections, nor the completion of essential tasks such as security arrangements, the national population census, the permanent constitution, judicial reforms, and the repatriation and resettlement of refugees and internally displaced persons,” Oyet argued.
Oyet warned that these actions violate the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), specifically Article 1.20.6, which requires elections to be conducted based on the permanent constitution and the amended National Elections Act.
“The declaration of the Chairperson is non-compliant with the peace agreement, and it jeopardizes the support of the international community and the prospect of conducting credible elections in South Sudan,” he added.
The NEC, established to oversee the electoral process in South Sudan, has faced challenges in maintaining impartiality and adhering to legal and procedural norms.
The 2018 R-ARCSS aimed to end the civil war that began in 2013 by outlining a roadmap for peace, including security reforms, a new constitution, and elections.
However, implementation has been slow, and critical processes remain incomplete.
As South Sudan prepares for elections amid a fragile peace process. Oyet has called for the NEC Chairperson to adhere to the legal framework and ensure a collaborative approach with all stakeholders.
“We must implement the agreement, which is the basis of resolving the conflict in South Sudan. Relative peace is better than a relapse into war,” he concluded.
The SPLM-IO Deputy Chairperson’s statements underscore the urgent need for transparency and adherence to the peace agreement as South Sudan approaches its scheduled elections.
The coming months will be critical in determining whether the elections can proceed in a manner that upholds the principles of fairness and inclusivity, crucial for the country’s stability and democratic future.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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