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South Sudan President Signs Election Changes Ahead of December Vote
South Sudan’s president signed changes to the country’s election law.
The changes remove requirements to finish a permanent constitution and conduct a census before holding elections.
The government says this will help elections happen on December 22.
The main opposition coalition disagrees with the changes.
It says the groups that signed the peace agreement were not properly consulted.
The law keeps the current executive leaders in power until a new president takes office.
It also reduces the number of members in the national and state assemblies.
Opposition leader Riek Machar is under house arrest and on trial, charges he denies.
A civil society leader warned politicians to solve their disagreements peacefully and avoid renewed conflict.
President Salva Kiir signed amendments removing links between elections, a permanent constitution, and a national census.
The changes are intended to clear the way for elections scheduled for December 22.
The South Sudan Opposition Alliance rejected the amendments, saying agreement parties were not adequately consulted.
The amended law keeps the incumbent executive leadership in office until a newly elected president takes office.
Parliamentary seats will be reduced, while voter registration has not yet begun and political tensions remain high.
- Who
- South Sudan President Salva Kiir, the government, and opposition groups including the South Sudan Opposition Alliance.
- What
- Kiir signed amendments to the National Elections Act of 2012 to facilitate general elections.
- Where
- South Sudan.
- When
- The amendments were signed on Monday, September 22; elections are scheduled for December 22.
- Why
- The government says the changes remove legal requirements tying elections to completion of a permanent constitution and a national census.
Government Rationale
Opposition Concerns
Removing election conditions
Government Rationale
The government says the amendments align the election law with the transitional constitution and remove provisions that delayed elections until a permanent constitution and census were completed.
Opposition Concerns
The South Sudan Opposition Alliance rejected the changes, saying they were made without adequate consultation among the parties to the 2018 peace agreement.
Political transition
Government Rationale
The amended law allows the incumbent executive leadership to remain in office with full constitutional powers until a newly elected president assumes office.
Opposition Concerns
Opposition figures and civil society actors have raised concerns amid political tensions, including Riek Machar’s house arrest and trial and repeated delays to the transition.
Key facts
- Election date
- December 22
- Election significance
- The vote would be South Sudan’s first general election since independence in 2011.
- Constitution and census requirements
- The amendments remove requirements linking elections to completion of a permanent constitution and a national census.
- National assembly size
- The National Legislative Assembly will have 270 members, down from 650.
- State assembly size
- State assemblies will have 58 members, down from 100.
- Voter registration
- Voter registration had not begun when the bill was passed.
- Opposition response
- The South Sudan Opposition Alliance rejected the changes, citing inadequate consultation.
Quotes
Edmund Yakani
Executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation
“Don’t return us to war, Sort out your political differences through non-violent means.”
theprint.in
Sources
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