South Sudan’s former National Elections Commission (NEC) chairperson, Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol, has called on his successor to continue building on existing preparations for the elections scheduled for 22 December, insisting that his removal should not disrupt the process.
President Salva Kiir dismissed Akok on Tuesday and appointed Gabriel Bol Deng Majok, the commission’s former secretary-general, as the new chairperson.
No official reason has been provided for the change.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Akok said he accepts the decision and supports the appointment of his successor.
“There is no problem with my dismissal because I have served for 14 years and it is necessary that a new person takes over to evaluate the work progress,” he said.
Akok, who was first appointed in August 2012 and reappointed in 2023, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the electoral body.
He highlighted achievements during his tenure, including the establishment of NEC offices across the ten states and three administrative areas, as well as training for electoral officials and commissioners with support from development partners such as the United Nations.
He urged Majok to ensure continuity rather than restart preparations from scratch, noting that the new chairperson is already familiar with the commission’s work and outstanding tasks because of his previous role as secretary-general.
Akok also called on South Sudanese citizens to register when the exercise begins and to participate peacefully in the elections.
He said he would return to his academic work at the University of Juba following his departure from the NEC.
The leadership change has raised concerns among civil society groups because it occurred only about three months before the scheduled polls.
Women’s rights activist Kenya Mach questioned the timing and whether it could affect election preparations, while acknowledging that Majok’s prior experience at the NEC might provide some continuity.
“Many questions arise. Is the change done to favour certain candidates during the polls or for something else?” she asked.
Bol Deng Bol, chairperson of the National Civil Society Coalition and the Jonglei Civil Society Network, said the NEC is already facing significant challenges in preparing for the elections.
He also questioned whether the legal procedure for removing the chairperson had been followed.
Under the National Elections Act (as amended in 2023), the NEC chairperson, deputy chairperson or other commissioners may be removed on grounds such as proven partiality, incapacity or gross misconduct.
The process requires a recommendation supported by two-thirds of NEC members and approval by two-thirds of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
During the transitional period, the president must also consult and agree with the first vice president and the four vice presidents.
“The public ought to know the grounds upon which the Chairperson was removed by the President,” Bol said, questioning whether the required NEC resolution and consultations had taken place.
