South Sudan has postponed its long-awaited general elections from December 22, 2026, to February 11, 2027, under a revised electoral timetable released by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
The 51-day delay comes as the world’s youngest nation prepares to launch nationwide voter registration, raising fresh questions about its ability to complete a political transition repeatedly disrupted by conflict and disagreements over the implementation of a 2018 peace agreement.
NEC Chairman Gabriel Bol Deng said on Friday that voter registration would run from November 14 to 28 across 3,161 centres in the country’s 10 states and three administrative areas.
The commission has recruited 22,127 officials to oversee the exercise, although electoral materials and equipment have yet to reach individual registration centres.
Deng said supplies had arrived in state capitals and administrative headquarters, with arrangements underway to distribute them to registration sites.
“We have 22,127 registration officials. They are ready on the ground, the materials are there,” Deng said, adding that the commission expected to complete distribution within two days.
Eligible voters will be required to present a national identity card, passport or another accepted document establishing their identity and age.
Those without official identification will be permitted to register through verification forms completed with the assistance of traditional community leaders.
Under the revised election calendar, the commission plans to publish a provisional voter register on November 29, allowing citizens to challenge or correct their registration details.
The final voter register is scheduled for publication on January 9, while the final list of candidates is expected later that month.
Election campaigning is set to begin on December 27 and conclude on February 9, followed by a campaign silence period before voting on February 11.
The commission expects to declare final results on February 15 and publish them the following day.
The revised timetable did not specify why the election date had been changed.
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in July 2011, has never held general elections since becoming an independent state.
Repeated postponements have reflected persistent political disputes, insecurity and delays in implementing the 2018 peace agreement intended to end a devastating civil war.
President Salva Kiir’s administration has faced mounting pressure from international partners to establish conditions for credible elections, including political participation, security arrangements and an inclusive electoral process.
The latest postponement comes amid continuing concerns over the country’s fragile political environment and the ability of electoral institutions to organise a nationwide vote.
The February election, if held as scheduled, would mark a major milestone in South Sudan’s prolonged transition towards an elected government.
