South Sudan Postpones National Elections Again
South Sudan has postponed its first national elections since independence, citing concerns over insecurity, funding, and readiness to vote.
South Sudan has postponed its first national elections since independence in 2011, moving polling from December to February 2027 due to concerns about insecurity, funding shortages, and the country's readiness to vote (Source ID: 1). A revised timetable published by the National Election Commission sets Feb. 11, 2027, as the new polling day, replacing the previously scheduled Dec. 22. The document did not specify the reasons for the postponement. This marks another delay in the electoral process, which has been repeatedly postponed, including in 2022 and 2024. [1]
The postponement follows warnings that elections could further destabilize the country's fragile peace (Source ID: 1). The National Election Commission published the revised timetable on social media on the day voter registration was scheduled to begin, also setting dates for candidate nominations and campaigning. Commission chairperson Gabriel Bol Deng announced that voter registration would run from Nov. 14 to Nov. 28 at 3,161 registration centers across the country’s 10 states and three administrative areas. Deng urged eligible citizens to register and called on political parties, civil society groups, and the media to raise public awareness. [1]
The South Sudan Civil Society Forum stated in a late October statement that conditions did not support fair, credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections within the remaining time (Source ID: 1). It called for an inclusive dialogue on electoral preparations and the country’s transition. Meanwhile, the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has been holding primaries across the country, though other registered parties have shown little electoral activity. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan noted the importance of elections as a milestone in the transition, not its conclusion. [1]
South Sudan has postponed its first national elections since independence in 2011, moving polling from December to February 2027 due to concerns about insecurity, funding shortages, and the country's readiness to vote (Source ID: 1). The revised timetable published by the National Election Commission sets Feb. 11, 2027, as polling day, replacing Dec. 22. The document did not provide a specific reason for the postponement, but it follows repeated delays, including in 2022 and 2024. The latest announcement comes amid warnings that elections could further destabilize the country's fragile peace (Source ID: 1). [1]
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The South Sudan Civil Society Forum issued a statement in late October, stating that conditions did not support fair, credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections within the remaining time (Source ID: 1). It called for an inclusive dialogue on electoral preparations and the country’s transition. Voter registration was scheduled to begin on Nov. 14, with registration centers set up across the country’s 10 states and three administrative areas. The National Election Commission chairperson, Gabriel Bol Deng, urged eligible citizens to register and called on political parties and civil society groups to assist in raising public awareness (Source ID: 1). [1]
The postponement occurs as South Sudan continues to grapple with political instability, including the dissolution of the transitional unity government in September and the formation of a caretaker administration. Fighting between government and opposition forces escalated in early 2025, and Riek Machar, a key opposition figure, remains on trial for charges including treason and crimes against humanity (Source ID: 1). Security incidents, such as the attack on SPLM delegates in Miri Loko village, have further complicated the electoral process (Source ID: 1). [1]
South Sudan has postponed its first national elections since independence in 2011, moving polling from December to February 2027 due to concerns about insecurity, funding shortages, and the country's readiness to vote (Source ID: 1). The National Election Commission announced the revised timetable on social media, setting Feb. 11, 2027, as the new polling day. The document did not provide a specific reason for the postponement, but earlier warnings had indicated that elections could further destabilize the country's fragile peace (Source ID: 1). [1]
The South Sudan Civil Society Forum issued a statement in late October, stating that conditions did not support fair, credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections within the remaining time (Source ID: 1). The forum called for an inclusive dialogue on electoral preparations and the country’s transition, emphasizing the need for broader political engagement and transparency in the electoral process (Source ID: 1). [1]
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The postponement occurs amid ongoing political instability, including the dissolution of the transitional unity government in September and the formation of a caretaker administration (Source ID: 1). The South Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), which has been holding primaries across the country, has faced several security incidents, including the killing of two SPLM delegates in Western Equatoria state (Source ID: 1). [1]
South Sudan has postponed its first national elections since independence in 2011, moving polling from December to February 2027 due to concerns about insecurity, funding shortages, and the country's readiness to vote (Source ID: 1). The revised timetable published by the National Election Commission sets Feb. 11, 2027, as the new polling day, replacing the earlier date of Dec. 22 (Source ID: 1). The document did not provide a specific reason for the postponement, but the South Sudan Civil Society Forum stated in a late October statement that conditions did not support fair, credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections within the remaining time (Source ID: 1). [1]
The postponement follows repeated delays, including in 2022 and 2024, and comes amid warnings that elections could further destabilize the country's fragile peace (Source ID: 1). The National Election Commission published the revised timetable on social media on the day voter registration was scheduled to begin, setting dates for candidate nominations and campaigning (Source ID: 1). The commission's chairperson, Gabriel Bol Deng, urged eligible citizens to register and called on political parties, civil society groups, and the media to raise public awareness (Source ID: 1). [1]
The postponement occurs amid ongoing political instability, including the dissolution of the transitional unity government in September and the formation of a caretaker administration (Source ID: 1). Fighting between government and opposition forces escalated in early 2025, and Machar was placed under house arrest in Juba that March (Source ID: 1). The South Sudan Civil Society Forum called for an inclusive dialogue on electoral preparations and the country’s transition (Source ID: 1). [1]
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