By William Madouk
The Chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC), Prof. Abednego Akok, has warned the State High Election Committee members against involvement in politics.
Prof Akok, who made his speech during the opening of the four-day induction workshop for the State High election committee members, said as technocrats, do your work and leave politics to politicians.
“We want to be prepared and stand firm before God and law, for the law don’t stand with anybody – you have taken an oath, and that oath is enough; it is guiding you,” he said.
“That is why the election commission is independent, leave politics to others but do your technical part of it. That is why we are being given this training. This capacity building,” he added.
He emphasized seriousness in the work so that NEC won’t be caught ‘unaware’ like that of September’s ‘marathon extension.’
“I am serious doing my job and I want you to be serious in doing your job,” he advised.
Prof. Akok revealed that he had received a report from the chairperson of the Northern Bahr el Ghazl election commission on the number of constituencies, voter registration, and polling centers.
He instructed the other state election commissioner bosses to work on their reports and submit them to him.
“Please go now and revise your polling station, your voter and registration centers, and constituencies,” he directed.
“We make this to be ready and then the decision will be taken by the politicians, but we are technical people,” Akok continued.
Besides, he called on EC members to use the knowledge they would acquire from training.
Darren S. Nance, the chair of the United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance team in South Sudan, stated that the role of the state’s high election commission is crucial in bridging the gap.
“The role of the state High Election Committees is crucial to the electoral process, as they will be responsible for implementing the electoral process and building trust at the local levels across the country,” said Nance.
“We hope that this initial training will begin to spearhead their initiatives at the state level, beginning with setting up their offices and engagement with civil society and political parties,” he added.
NEC organized the event, with support from the United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance team, to introduce key foundational concepts and principles of effective electoral management.