By Baraka John
The Western Equatoria State High Elections Committee has officially launched a statewide Civic and Voter Education Campaign, urging eligible citizens to prepare for voter registration and actively participate in South Sudan’s anticipated general elections scheduled for December 2026.
The campaign was launched on Tuesday at Yambio Freedom Square, bringing together Governor Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa, state government officials, members of the High Elections Committee, civil society organizations, political parties, youth and women’s representatives, and members of the public.
Speaking during the launch, Western Equatoria State High Elections Committee Chairperson Simon Bakama Mande described the event as a significant milestone in the state’s preparations for the country’s first general elections in years.
“We are very happy, especially with the presence of His Excellency the Governor, who officially launched this exercise. Almost everybody who spoke today expressed their commitment to work together with the High Elections Committee to ensure the success of this process,” Bakama said.
Bakama explained that the campaign will focus on educating eligible voters on the importance of voter registration, how to cast their ballots correctly, and the need to reject election-related violence, intimidation, and hate speech.
Governor Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa described the launch as a historic step toward strengthening democracy in the state, saying civic education would empower citizens with the knowledge needed to participate meaningfully in the electoral process.
“Today we have launched civic and voter education, which is very important for our population to learn how they will register as voters, how they will vote, and how they have equal rights to participate in elections,” the governor said.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the electoral process and pledged that the government would provide the necessary security for voter educators, election officials, and polling stations.
The governor called on citizens to embrace peaceful participation and cooperate with electoral authorities throughout the election period.
Also addressing the gathering, Chairperson of the Western Equatoria Civil Society Network, Wanga Emmanuel, described the launch as an important milestone in South Sudan’s democratic journey.
He welcomed the progress made toward organizing the elections but appealed to the national government, particularly the Office of the President, to ensure the National Elections Commission receives adequate financial and logistical support to complete the electoral process on time.
“The citizens have made it clear that they do not want another extension. Elections must be conducted, and the Elections Commission must receive the necessary support,” Wanga said.
The Civic and Voter Education Campaign forms part of nationwide preparations for South Sudan’s December 2026 general elections. Through community outreach, public awareness activities, and voter education programs, the initiative aims to increase citizens’ understanding of the electoral process, promote peaceful participation, and encourage higher voter turnout across Western Equatoria State.