Africa-Press – South-Sudan. James Akol Zakayo, the Chairperson of South Sudan’s Political Parties Council (PPC), has shared insights regarding the council’s role in election preparation and the challenges faced.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj Wednesday, Akol provided comprehensive answers addressing critical issues ahead of the upcoming elections from budgetary concerns to registration processes and diversity representation.
Question: Can you elaborate on your role and the preparations for the upcoming elections?
Answer: In our country, there are three key electoral bodies, one of which is the Political Parties Council. This council, along with the National Constitutional Review Commission and the National Bureau of Statistics, plays a vital role in election preparation.
Our responsibility lies in registering political parties and overseeing their activities. Essentially, we are tasked with ensuring the proper functioning of political parties in the country.
Regarding the establishment of the council and its ten state headquarters, it’s important to note that council members serve a five-year term and can be renewed upon presidential reappointment after consultation with political parties and stakeholders. During the transitional period, the president consults with the first vice president and the four vice presidents on such matters.
During this transitional phase, the executive of the RTGoNU reconstituted the Political Parties Council in accordance with the Political Parties Act of 2012, as amended in 2022.
To serve on the council, individuals must meet specific criteria, including being South Sudanese, at least 30 years old, mentally sound, literate with at least a secondary school leaving certificate, and free from any convictions related to dishonesty or moral misconduct within the past seven years.
The council consists of a full-time chair, deputy chairperson, and seven members, with the chairperson’s status akin to that of a national minister and the deputy chairperson comparable to a deputy minister.
Ensuring gender diversity is also a priority, with at least 35% of council members being women, a requirement that has been met. Members of the council are chosen for their integrity, honesty, and objectivity, without any partisan affiliation. Our appointments were ratified by a two-thirds majority of the executive.
Before assuming office, the chairperson, deputy chairperson, and council members take the oath of office before the president, a step we have all completed.
Q: What is your budget, and have you received any funds so far?
A: We’ve submitted our budget to the high-level steering committee, and it has been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for inclusion in the consolidated supplementary budget. Currently, we’re awaiting the enactment of this supplementary budget into law before we can expect any allocation of funds.
Considering the breadth of activities planned for both pre-election and post-election periods, we’re uncertain about the specific allocation of the budget. Our budget is structured around these activities.
Q: How many political parties have registered so far?
A: Registration has been announced, and we’ve received applications, albeit some not meeting the required procedures. Those applicants have been asked to resubmit their documents. Registration remains an ongoing process.
As of now, we have 14 registered political parties. Additionally, over 25 parties are in the process of submitting their documents to meet registration requirements.
Q: Is SPLM-IO among the registered parties?
A: No, we haven’t received an application under that name thus far.
Q: Some political parties are voicing concerns about the registration fee. What is your response to this?
A: According to Section 31 of the Political Parties Council Act, the council has the authority to draft regulations, including fee schedules. We’ve drafted regulations, outlined in the second schedule R15 of the Political Parties Regulations 2015, amended in 2024, which detail fees for various processes.
For instance, the fee for applying for provisional registration includes five components. The first, for name reservation, is $20,000, payable in South Sudanese pounds (SSP) at the applicable exchange rate.
The second, for providing accompanying information, is $15,000, also payable in SSP at the central bank rate. Similarly, the verification fee is $3,000, provisional enrolment is $2,000, and the certificate of provisional registration is $10,000.
These fees amount to $50,000 for the entire process, which is a one-time, lifelong registration. The costs cover extensive activities such as gazetting, publishing, and verification of members across states and administrative areas.
As per the law, political parties must garner 500 eligible voters from two-thirds of ten states and three administrative areas. Therefore, we utilize biometric and data systems, requiring substantial resources for enrolment. These fees were agreed upon by council members to facilitate these critical processes.
Q: Are there any challenges in fulfilling the membership requirements for the parties?
A: Currently, we’re facing an issue primarily stemming from one key political figure who has rallied smaller parties around him. He contends that the fee for political party registration should remain at 20,000 SSP, equivalent to $10 USD from years ago. However, this fee is not adequate for the current operational needs of political parties.
Q: Have you received any official complaints regarding this matter?
A: While anyone can voice complaints, it’s essential to have legal standing to do so. These individuals seeking registration don’t yet have legal status. Nonetheless, we’ve received their petitions and will address them in an upcoming council meeting.
Q: How will you ensure that the parties reflect South Sudan’s regional and ethnic diversity for the general election?
A: As per the law, any political party seeking registration must draw its members from two-thirds of ten states and the three administrative areas, representing the diverse demographics of South Sudan.
We’ll utilize an advanced registration system to capture members’ geographical locations and tribes, ensuring that the party reflects the nation’s diversity without being tribalistic, as prohibited by law. Additionally, we’ll ensure that the 35% quota for women’s representation is met, distributed across the country, not confined to a single tribe. This diversity should be reflected not only at the membership level but also in leadership positions.
Q: Have any women’s political parties emerged to register thus far?
A: There’s no distinction between women’s and men’s political parties; all parties are treated equally regardless of the gender of their leadership. South Sudan doesn’t categorize parties in such a manner.
Q: Regarding membership verification, many people in South Sudan lack IDs or nationality documents. How will you address this issue?
A: We’ll employ biometric technology for registration and collaborate with local authorities, including chiefdoms, to assist in the verification process at the grassroots level.
Q: Have you received any funds for the operation of the Political Parties’ Council?
A: Currently, we haven’t received any funding for political parties. We have specific funds allocated for the Political Parties’ Council, intended for political party operations. While we anticipate receiving these funds soon, there’s still ample time for their allocation.
Q: Can you highlight any successes or challenges in your work?
A: Our main challenge lies in navigating the complexities of the current legal framework, particularly regarding awareness and understanding of the laws governing political participation. Many individuals, especially women, lack awareness of their rights and the registration processes for political parties. We aim to address this by disseminating information once resources become available.
Q: Parties are required to maintain audit books for their accounts. How do you plan to enforce this?
A: It falls within our mandate as the council to ensure that political parties maintain audit books for their accounts. Once we have the necessary resources and systems in place, we will actively pursue compliance with this requirement.
Q: Dispute resolution is one of the roles within political parties. Do you have the capacity for this?
A: Absolutely. In cases of disputes between parties or their members, we have the authority to intervene and seek amicable resolutions. If disputes cannot be resolved internally, we have the legal framework to refer them to the court for final resolution.
Q: We’ve noticed some political parties have already begun campaigning. Is this in accordance with the law?
A: I’m unable to comment on behalf of the election commission as it’s beyond my jurisdiction. However, as far as I know, the election commission hasn’t announced any election dates yet.
Q: Could you elaborate on the collaboration between the election commission and the constitution review commission?
A: As I mentioned earlier, there are various electoral institutions with interconnected roles. While the Political Parties Council prepares parties for elections, the election commission oversees the electoral process, and the national constitutional review commission focuses on developing relevant laws for these activities.
Q: What would be your final message to political parties and the people of South Sudan?
A: I urge political parties to uphold the principles of serving the nation’s interests rather than their own. They should address issues concerning citizens and the nation as a whole. To my fellow South Sudanese, it’s crucial to break free from the hold of self-serving political parties and scrutinize which party truly represents their interests. Hold accountable those leaders who have contributed to the country’s suffering and prevent further prolongation of this suffering. Let your voices be heard, and vote for individuals who prioritize the nation’s welfare over personal gain.
Q: What consequences would a political party face for failing to comply with the council’s regulations?
A: Non-compliance with regulations doesn’t signify the end of the electoral process in South Sudan. This is just the beginning, and there will be future elections. If a party isn’t prepared for the current election, it should focus on readiness for the next one.
Source: Radio Tamazuj
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