Between 22 April and 28 June 2024, UN IEAT conducted 26 BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) training workshops in Juba, all ten states and Pibor Administrative Area. The workshops were delivered by 13 accredited international facilitators to members of the National Election Commission, civil society, media, and UN IEAT staff. The training workshops covered a diverse range of electoral topics, including management (Building Excellence in Elections); election standards, electoral cycle, and electoral stakeholders (Introduction to Election Administration); election operations; and voter and civic education; voter rights for persons with disabilities, youth and women (Access to Electoral Processes); and training methods for election stakeholders (Train the Facilitator).  

This series of trainings was the largest roll out of BRIDGE in its 25-year history as the leading curriculum for training electoral stakeholders. In total, 679 participants were trained (60% male; 40% female). Nearly half of the participants were from civil society (48%), while others came from the National Election Commission (NEC) (27%), Government authorities (7%), Media (2%), and United Nations (15%).  

Following the swearing in of High Committee at a state-level (SHEC) the NEC will partner with UN-IEAT to conduct a Civic and Voter Education module will also be conducted for SHECs and a reduced number NEC staff. Unlike the previous Civic and Voter Education module that focused on operational planning, this four-day module will focus on implementing the CVE plan of the NEC. Techniques, strategies, and working with stakeholders will be the focus of this module. 

Schedule 

After the completion of BRIDGE training, all SHEC members will be equipped to undergo the first of a series of operational technical trainings. When there is clarity on the modality and regulations for voter registration, UN IEAT and NEC can proceed with a voter and civic education campaign.  

The National Election Commission is preparing for national elections, scheduled for 22 December 2026. To implement elections, the NEC will rely on a field structure consisting of a High Committee at a state-level (SHEC) in each of the ten states.  Each SHEC consists of a chairperson, deputy chairperson, and three committee members appointed by the NEC.  

In April and May 2024, the members of the NEC visited the States to meet with stakeholders and consult about for SHEC appointments. On 17 June 2024, the Chair of NEC, Prof. Abednego Akok Kachuol, announced the establishment of the High Committees at the State-level. The fifty (50) committee members took their oath of office in Juba on 11 July 2024 and will begin the task of refurbishing their offices.    

To prepare the SHECs for their task, NEC with the support of the UN-Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN-IEAT), will deliver an Induction Workshop from 08-11 October 2024 in Juba.