JUBA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has removed National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairperson Abednego Akok Kacuol and appointed the commission's Secretary-General Gabriel Bol Deng Majok as his replacement, the state broadcaster reported Tuesday evening.
The leadership change comes less than four months before South Sudan's general elections, scheduled for Dec. 22, sparking concerns among political analysts over whether the electoral calendar can stay on track.
No reason was given for the change, according to the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation.
The change comes as the NEC prepares for the polls. While the commission recently began training state and administrative electoral officials for the upcoming voter registration, it confirmed earlier this month that voter registration has not yet started.
Boboya James Edimond, executive director of the South Sudanese think tank Institute of Social Policy and Research, warned that the move risks disrupting electoral preparations at a critical juncture.
He said the change could affect the commission's ability to implement its electoral timetable, particularly as preparations for voter registration and other activities are already under way.
NEC is tasked with managing critical elements of South Sudan's elections, including voter registration, staff recruitment and training, civic education, candidate nominations and the issuance of the official electoral timeline.
Given the tight timeline, he cautioned that the leadership change could further delay preparations, as the incoming chairperson will need time to adapt to the role and oversee election operations.
Edimond said the leadership change could also affect confidence among political and other electoral stakeholders, urging the government and parties to the peace process to provide clearer guidance on the electoral process.
Despite the shake-up, some political analysts said that Deng's appointment offers a measure of continuity. Having previously served as secretary-general, he brings firsthand experience in organizing preparations for the upcoming vote.
Earlier, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan cautioned that the conditions for a peaceful and credible election are not yet in place. ■
