The start of reviewing of the National Elections Act 2012 is very encouraging
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), has welcomed the start of the review of the National Elections Act 2012 of South Sudan, one of the key legislations assigned to the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC), terming it as an important step for the successful conclusion of the Transitional Period of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
Speaking at the opening of experts meeting on the electoral laws in Juba on Thursday, RJMEC Chief of Staff, Amb. Berhanu Kebede said,
“The launch of both judicial reforms process and review of the National Elections Act coming at the same time is a demonstration that the Revitalized Peace Agreement is indeed on the right path of making a difference in the governance of this country. This is very encouraging,”
“The conduct of a credible, peaceful, free, fair and democratic elections is the only end point of the Transition under the Revitalized Peace Agreement, and the review and amendment of the elections law and eventual reconstitution of the election commission are two key pre-requisites,” he added.
“We trust that the experts assembled here today, parties and the various stakeholders to be engaged by the NCAC in this review process, will draft an election law that not only conforms to the Agreement but one that will ensure the conduct of a democratic, peaceful, free and fair elections and referenda in South Sudan.”
Chapter 1, Article 1.20.3 provides that the National Elections Act, 2012 be amended to conform to the terms of the Revitilised Peace Agreement. The review and amendment of the electoral law will involve a participatory process, which includes convening expert and stakeholder forums, whose views will define the scope of the amendment to the electoral law.
