The United Nations Integrated Election Assistance Team (IEAT) in South Sudan, in cooperation with the National Election Commission (NEC) of South Sudan, is implementing a 4-day BRIDGE customized modular workshop on Boundary Delimitation and Voter Registration for the State High Election Committees (SHECs) and staff members of the National Election Commission (NEC) of South Sudan. The workshop aims to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in both boundary delimitation and voter registration processes, enabling them to design and implement fair, accessible, and effective electoral systems within the South Sudanese context.

Boundary Delimitation Objectives:

1. Analyze the implications of boundary drawing decisions on electoral outcomes and representation in the South Sudanese context.
2. Identify and apply principles that ensure fair and effective electoral boundary delimitation appropriate to South Sudan’s demographic and geographic realities.
3. Master practical skills through hands-on activities that simulate the actual process of electoral boundary delimitation.
4. Establish criteria for assessing the fairness and effectiveness of proposed electoral boundaries.

Voter Registration Objectives:

1. Examine foundational principles of effective voter registration systems with particular attention to South Sudan’s unique challenges.
2. Develop comprehensive understanding of the administrative and logistical requirements for implementing voter registration in South Sudan.
3. Compare various voter registration methodologies and systems to determine which approach best suits South Sudan’s infrastructure and population distribution.
4. Collaboratively create operational planning frameworks for voter registration that can be adapted to local contexts.
5. Design strategies for ensuring accessibility, fairness, and effectiveness in South Sudan’s voter registration process.

Cross-Cutting Objectives:

1. Strengthen the institutional capacity of the National Election Commission and State High Election Committees to implement electoral processes.
2. Foster collaboration between national and state-level electoral authorities.
3. Develop action plans for implementing workshop learnings in preparation for upcoming electoral activities.

This workshop is part of an ongoing series of BRIDGE workshops launched in April 2024, as part of a broader capacity development program. The program aims to:

1. Enhance the NEC’s understanding of electoral principles, practices, and election management across the electoral cycle;
2. Raise awareness among targeted stakeholders on key electoral issues; and
3. Develop a pool of qualified facilitators in South Sudan capable of effectively utilizing the BRIDGE curriculum to deliver workshops on electoral topics, benefiting a wide range of stakeholders.

By focusing on these goals, the workshop seeks to contribute to a more inclusive, equitable, and secure electoral environment in South Sudan.