Yakani says election requires favorable conditions
So, the creation of good enough conditions for the conduct of the elections requires a solid and absolute political will and commitment, said Edmund Yakani.
By James Chatim
The Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, said that while the election remains the only viable option, but requires a conducive environment.
This statement comes following a brief by the National Election Commission, Prof. Abednego Akok Kachuo, to the president on Thursday, in which he expressed readiness for the elections.
Though Yakani welcomed the call by President Salva Kiir for elections to be conducted on their scheduled time next year, he stressed the need for the creation of a conducive environment before the election.
“My reaction is, it is true that the election is the only viable option at hand now for transitioning the country from violence to peace, for an honorable and peaceful transfer of power from one group to another group, from one individual to another individual. But elections require having good enough conditions,” he said.
“So the creation of good enough conditions for the conduct of the elections requires a solid and absolute political will and commitment for strengthening the institutions that are entrusted to create a good enough condition for the conduct of the elections with finances, with resources,” Yakani added.
The activist also noted the importance of allocating adequate resources to the institutions entrusted with the electoral mandate.
According to him, some decisions required political leaders to adjust some of the requirements enshrined in the electoral law.
He further appealed to the National Election Commission to establish a National Roundtable for members to deliberate on the viability of the elections.
“As a civil society activist, I call upon the leadership of the National Election Commission that we are interested to collaborate and organize a national roundtable with the title, National Roundtable on the Viability of Elections.”
“So that we have deliberations in an inclusive manner among ourselves in setting a situation and conditions that define what is called good enough conditions for the preparation of the country for the forthcoming election as scheduled for December 2026,” Yakani explained.
On Thursday, the Chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC), Prof. Abednego, presented a comprehensive report on the election timeline to President Kiir.
The report detailed the country’s preparedness for the upcoming general elections scheduled for December 2026.
Prof. Abednego noted that they have made significant progress in the readiness efforts.
He informed the President that the NEC has also established functional offices in six States and the Administrative Areas, with the remaining States to be completed soon.
President Kiir praised the NEC for its steadfastness in preparing the nation for its democratic path as stipulated in the peace agreement and national goals towards achieving a durable stability.
