Introduction to Electoral Administration in South Sudan

The United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN IEAT) in South Sudan organized a three-day BRIDGE modular workshop on “Introduction to Electoral Administration” in Bentiu, Unity State, from June 25 to June 27, 2024. This workshop is part of a series of nationwide training sessions aimed at enhancing electoral knowledge among various groups involved in electoral activities within the state.

The workshop saw participation from several organizations and individuals, including civil society organizations (CSOs), members of the IEAT from Bentiu and its surrounding areas, and two female members of the legislature. A total of 24 participants, comprising 12 males and 12 females, attended the training. Notably, a significant number of youths actively engaged in discussions and group work sessions. The presence of community leaders and legislative members, who shared their lived experiences related to political and electoral participation, added substantial value to the sessions.

The session on inclusion sparked engaging discussions. Participants identified persistent challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities when participating in elections. The feedback underscored the need for targeted interventions to increase their participation. Encouragingly, the session went beyond definitions, actively involving participants in designing interventions to promote PWD involvement in future elections. The feedback from participants underscored the necessity of such interventions to ensure inclusive electoral processes, emphasizing that without these measures, many people with disabilities might be unable to participate in future elections.

Besides the foregoing the workshop also focused on the following key areas:

• Exploring electoral standards and the significance of international obligations and good practices.
• Examining the nature and purpose of the legal framework and its application in the electoral context.
• Introducing the main principles of electoral system design.
• Exploring various models of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), their functions, and guiding principles.
• Promoting equal access to electoral processes.
• Introducing concepts and methodologies of electoral operational planning as a management tool.
• Discussing the rationale and importance of voter and civic education programs.

Mr. Kwame Dwamena Aboagye. Senior Political Affairs Officer/Head of Field Office presided over the workshop’s closing ceremony. He urged participants to become multipliers, sharing their newfound knowledge with their communities. Highlighting the balanced participation of women and men in the training, Mr. Kwane emphasized, “This training equips not just you, but equips all of you to promote inclusive participation in upcoming elections.”

The feedback from participants reflected overall appreciation for the training’s content and delivery methods. Participants expressed a strong desire for future workshops to be held at the county level, directly engaging communities to enhance public understanding of the electoral process as South Sudan prepares for the next election.