A team from South Sudan’s National Elections Commission (NEC) has visited Yambio to assess election preparedness, inspect facilities and identify operational challenges facing the State High Elections Committee (SHEC) in Western Equatoria State.
William Deng, a NEC commissioner, said the visit was part of the commission’s routine supervision of state offices to assess achievements, identify gaps and determine which challenges require intervention from the national headquarters.
“I am leading this team to visit Yambio, and the purpose is administrative: to look at what is in place and what is not,” he said. “To see the challenges NEC faces in the state, like the appointment of the returning officer in this state. Another purpose is to see if the warehouse is sufficient.”
Deng said the team would inspect the state committee’s office and warehouse, assess staffing levels and review preparations for the appointment of a state returning officer.
He said applications for the returning officer position would be reviewed before a suitable candidate was selected for consideration at the national headquarters.
The commissioner added that challenges beyond the state office’s capacity would be documented and submitted to the headquarters for further action.
Meanwhile, Simon Bakama, chairperson of the State High Elections Committee in Western Equatoria, welcomed the delegation, saying the visit would help assess the state’s preparedness and identify areas requiring additional support.
He said some areas remained difficult to access because of the presence of SPLM-IO forces, citing Nadiangere in Yambio County, parts of Nagero County and other affected locations.
He said the committee had advertised vacancies for voter registrars and other positions as part of preparations for upcoming electoral activities.
“We have advertised positions for voter registrars and other staff, and we will recruit people for the work ahead of the elections, and we are ready,” Bakama said.
The visit is expected to help the commission identify logistical, staffing and operational gaps that need to be addressed as preparations for elections continue in South Sudan.
State electoral committees are expected to play a key role in coordinating electoral activities, supporting voter registration and implementing election-related plans at the local level.
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