3278: ROUNDTABLE: Electoral Justice, Safeguarding South Sudan’s First Elections

This episode of Radio Miraya's Roundtable explores the critical challenges surrounding electoral justice in South Sudan as the country prepares for its first post-independence general election, scheduled for December 2026. The discussion, led by host Yash Kirang, brings together key stakeholders including National Election Commission Commissioner Manuel Makum, legal expert Katya Elena from the UN Mission in South Sudan, civil society leader Sarah Abidja, and legal practitioners Molana Arob and Dr. Barnaba Corina. The panel delves into the foundational principles of electoral justice—ensuring citizens' rights to vote, stand for office, and freely express opinions—and emphasizes that credible elections require more than just a date on a calendar. They must be underpinned by robust legal frameworks, institutional capacity, security, civic education, and inclusive processes. Despite the National Election Commission’s efforts to establish offices and prepare for elections, major challenges remain: lack of funding, unamended electoral and constitutional laws, weak judiciary capacity, and insufficient time for voter registration and civic outreach. Civil society, particularly women’s organizations, highlight the disproportionate impact on women due to illiteracy, economic hardship, and security risks. The panel agrees that while elections are essential for democratic transition, holding them without addressing these systemic issues risks deepening instability and undermining trust. Ultimately, the episode calls for collective responsibility, transparency, and sustained dialogue among all actors to build a foundation for credible, peaceful, and just elections. Key takeaways include: 1) Electoral justice is not a one-day event but a continuous process requiring preparation, legal clarity, and institutional readiness; 2) The current timeline and lack of resources, especially for the judiciary and legal aid, pose serious risks to fair dispute resolution; 3) Women’s participation is threatened by structural barriers like poverty, insecurity, and lack of access to information, necessitating targeted civic education and protection mechanisms; 4) The absence of a harmonized legal framework and political will to amend laws undermines the legitimacy of the electoral process; 5) Civil society and international partners must continue advocating for accountability and inclusive dialogue to ensure the election is not just held, but accepted as legitimate by the people.