Brief Background Information
Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) deployed domestic observers for the pre-election’s stages for the country preparedness for holding first national general elections scheduled for December 2026. The pre-elections domestic observers were trained on pre-elections observation standards. This report is the 5th Pre-elections domestic observation report with specific focus on the deliverance of the voter registration material by the national Elections Commission to the Central Equatoria State Elections High Committee dated 2nd November, 2026 in Juba
- Methodology of the Domestic Observation
Team of two trained domestic observers were assigned to observe the deliverance of the voter’s registration materials by the National Elections Commission to the Central Equatoria State Elections High Committee. The trained domestic observes generate the data for this domestic observation report through filling a developed standards questionnaire tool. Additionally, the two domestic observers conducted key informant interviews and general observation of voter registration materials
- Observation Findings.
- Voter registration is a fundamental prerequisite for candidate eligibility for the offices of President, State Governor, and Chief Administrator.
- The National Elections Commission’s distribution of voter registration materials to states and administrative areas fell behind the legally mandated schedule; however, it established a necessary foundation for the electoral process.
- The required standard materials for authentic voter registration were officially handed over to the leadership of the Central Equatoria State Elections High Committee.
- There is an urgent need for properly coordinated and accurate dissemination of voter information in Central Equatoria State.
- Political parties seeking elected representation must acquire accurate voter information to effectively inform their members and campaigns.
- Unrestricted and well-supported engagement from civil society and the media regarding voter information is urgently required.
- Strategic investment in inclusive voter information is essential to ensure the meaningful participation and representation of persons with disabilities.
- The National Elections Commission and Elections High Committees must proactively prevent misinformation and disinformation related to voter information. Verification and fact-checking are paramount for ensuring meaningful voter participation.
- Voter information initiatives must intentionally target women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
- Recommendations/Way forward
- The National Elections Commission and Elections High Committees should immediately orient political party voter information focal points, civil society organizations, and the media on accurate voter information. This should include the provision of officially produced voter education materials.
- Political party voter information focal points, civil society organizations, women activists, youth leaders, disability rights champions, and the media should immediately undertake effective and timely efforts to provide accurate voter information to citizens.
- The National Elections Commission and Elections High Committees, alongside political party focal points, civil society organizations, women activists, youth leaders, disability rights champions, and the media must prioritize combating voter misinformation through rigorous verification and fact-checking.
Full Details of the Report: https://cepo.org.ss/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Final-5th-Domestic-Elections-Observation-Report-Nov.-2026.docx
