There have been different views among the political leaders and the parties to the revitalised peace agreement on whether or not to hold general elections immediately after the end of the transitional period next year. 

Nevertheless, on several occasions, President Salva Kiir has said elections will be held in 2023 to allow citizens to exercise their democratic right to choose their leaders. This gives the impression that the parties to the agreement will have to reach into consensus as to which time shall be appropriate for the elections.

However, on Monday some Members of Parliament at the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (RTNLA) ruled out the possibility of holding the elections in 2023. The lawmakers were alarmed by the existing insecurity in some parts of the country, lack of freedom of expression and trust and confidence among the political parties to the peace agreement.

First and foremost, security, trust and confidence are very important and are inevitable factors for a conducive environment that can support an election. The reasons given by the lawmakers look very genuine because, without proper security, trust and confidence, the candidates may not be able to engage their voters. The three elements are very important and the parties to the peace agreement should start working on them to prepare a favourable ground for the campaign and the elections as well.

The basis for public trust is shaped by the broader political context in which elections take place; not just by the quality of the electoral process itself. Thus, there is a need to shape public trust by improving the political context in the country; the security needs to be improved to allow free movement of people and the return of the refugees and internally displaced persons back home. 

 Currently, there are over two million South Sudanese refugees living in the neighbouring countries and about 1.5 million are internally displaced from their homes of origin.  These people equally have the right to participate in the upcoming elections. But without proper security, they may not return home. They will also need the privilege to elect their constituency leaders to represent them in the government.

The election is not only about the voting of leaders but confidence in the election that can lead to the acceptance of the results. The former United Nations Secretary-General, the late Dr Koffi Anan once said: “elections are the hearts of democracy. When conducted with integrity, they allow citizens to have a voice in how and by whom they are governed.” 

Despite the pressure to hold elections after the transitional period to validate the government, there are also other factors that need to be considered because without them the poll cannot be free and fair.

The government needs to address insecurity issues and ensures there is a proper plan for disarmament as well as implement the reconciliation and repatriation chapter.

Besides this is the need to conduct demarcation of boundaries and voter registration which have to be done before the 2023 elections.