JUBA, South Sudan – South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has warned party members against contesting elections as independent candidates if they fail to secure the party’s nomination during the ongoing candidate-selection process, according to a report by Radio Tamazuj.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba, Dr. Akol Paul Kordit, the SPLM Secretary-General, said party members seeking nomination must accept the outcomes of internal party elections and support candidates officially endorsed by the party. He stated that members would not be permitted to run as independent candidates after participating in the SPLM nomination process.
According to the SPLM leadership, aspirants will be required to sign a commitment pledge before participating in primaries and party congresses. The pledge commits candidates to respect the results of the party’s internal processes and abide by party decisions.
Dr. Akol Paul Kordit warned that members who violate party regulations could face disciplinary action under the party’s code of conduct.
The SPLM says the measure is intended to maintain party unity during preparations for South Sudan’s planned December 2026 general elections and to prevent internal divisions within the party.
Party officials reported strong interest in the nomination exercise. According to the SPLM Secretariat, the party received 848 applications from individuals seeking nomination for various elective positions. The applications included 133 gubernatorial aspirants, 23 chief administrator aspirants, 417 constituency candidates, 114 party-list candidates, and 161 women-list candidates.
The party further disclosed that it collected approximately 2.544 billion South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) in nomination fees from aspiring candidates.
However, SPLM officials emphasized that payment of nomination fees and submission of application forms do not automatically guarantee nomination. All applicants will undergo a screening and vetting process before progressing to the next stages of candidate selection.
The party has also deployed committees to several states to oversee nomination activities and preparations for internal elections.
