By Philip Buda Ladu
National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairperson, Professor Abednego Akok Hacuol has directed the state high election committees’ members to immediately begin work in their areas after being sworn in yesterday.
On Thursday, the commission held a swearing-in ceremony in Juba that saw members of the State High Elections Committees for the ten states and three administrative areas took their oath of office.
Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut administered the oath-taking in the presence of the NEC chairperson Prof. Abednego Akok, Political Parties Council Chairman, Eng. James Akol Jakayo and the Minister of Cabinet Affairs Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Akok explained the appointment of the State Committees’ members came in a resolution of the meeting of the commission, following consultations they did with stakeholders from the ten states who recommended the names.
“These people were not selected by us; they were nominated by the stakeholders in the commission. They are capable and competent to serve the interests of our people freely and transparently” Akok stated.
According to him, these sworn-in officials will be given a brief induction to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary for election management because they are the ones responsible for administering elections in their areas.
The NEC boss emphasized that after the brief training, the election officials will return to their respective states to implement the amended 2024 NEC Act.
This will begin with civic education followed by voter registration.
“One of your immediate tasks now is to identify from the counties to the Boma level all the voting centres, a very important duty that you will do. The civic education has started with you now that there are elections and high elections committees formed in the states,” Akok emphasized.
He urged the state high election committee members to take on this national responsibility as specified by the law and the revitalized peace agreement.
NEC recently announced December 22, 2024, as the date for the anticipated looming elections meant to conclude the transitional period according to the roadmap.
For his part, James Akol Jakayo, the chairperson of the Political Parties Council (PPC) described the swearing-in of the state high election committees’ members as historic, adding a big task awaits the officials.
“The task that awaits you ahead is protecting people’s rights. As you have taken an oath today, you are expected to be neutral,” Akol advised.
He urged the election officials to distance themselves from political affiliation or being a political sympathizer.
“If you are a sympathizer for any political party from today, I want you to dress a new court, the new task, because you are expected to be neutral such that the results that would be produced will be credible, and fair he appealed”
According to the Political Parties Act, the registration deadline, or the cut-off date for those political parties that are aspiring to participate in the December elections, has elapsed.
“The law says that for a political party to participate in an election, it must register 180 days prior to the elections. I think we have already infringed on the 180 days.”
Martin Elia Lomuro, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, in his remarks echoed the same sentiment.
Lomuro cited the 2010 Sudan general election, in which some people rebelled, believing that their votes were taken away, adding that the electoral officials have to change their characters.
“You must be hated. People must hate you for being steadfast and tough; you have no friends; you don’t have a political party; you don’t have a tribe; even your wife should not know what you’re doing; that’s how you’re going to be,” he stated.
The minister further urged NEC chair Prof. Abednego to pay his workers more saying this job will deprive them and some people will be their enemies.
“Sincerely, this is hard work—organizing elections. You have seen what elections have done to the United States. Donald Trump is being hunted; they want to pull him down, but the man is struggling to stay on,” Lomuro continued.
“We want to see that happening in South Sudan—without fighting, without guns, and without quarrelling—no, just go talk and convince the people that’s what we want, and that is the responsibility that you (NEC) have in your hands. Don’t let us down.”
In June, Prof. Akok issued an order to establish the State High Election Committees and announced the appointment of chairpersons for high election committees across the 10 states.
The appointed chairpersons heading their respective state high committees are Alphayo Philip Lako for Central Equatoria, Simon Bakama for Western Equatoria, Abdalla Hassan Abididi for Eastern Equatoria, Joseph Akuei for Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Arkangelo Udo for Western Bahr el Ghazal. Others include Jacob Anei for Warrap state, Tuor Majok for Jonglei, Kot Kuer for Lakes, Peter Mayom Pur for Upper Nile, and George Kuong Gattang for Unity State.
Prof. Akok stated that chairpersons for the three administrative areas—Ruweng, Greater Pibor, and Abyei—were going to follow suit, citing less work in the areas.
He did not confirm during the swearing-in ceremony whether the remaining three pending appointments were later made.