Civil Society Calls for Urgent National Dialogue on Elections Ahead of December 2026 Deadline
Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress (CEPO), expressed his appreciation for the National Election Commission’s efforts in preparing for the upcoming elections scheduled for December 2026. The event brought together civil society representatives and religious leaders, fostering important discussions on the electoral process amidst ongoing political challenges in the country.
Yakani described the briefing as “very informative” and an essential platform for dialogue between civil society and the National Election Commission. He emphasized the need for credible and peaceful elections, announcing that CEPO will be mobilizing domestic observers to monitor preparations across the nation.
One of the key messages delivered by Yakani was the urgent need for a technical meeting involving the newly reconstituted leadership of the National Transitional Committee and critical electoral institutions, including the National Election Commission, the National Constitution Review Commission, the Political Parties Council, and the National Bureau of Statistics. He stressed that civil society and religious leaders should also be included in these discussions to reach a national consensus on the country’s readiness for elections.
“No more extensions; this is the last opportunity,” Yakani urged, calling on the presidential office to convene a meeting focused on the elections’ fate. He highlighted the importance of timely political decisions from the country’s leadership to ensure that the transition culminates in a successful electoral process.
As the December 2026 elections draw closer, Yakani’s message resonates with the growing consensus among citizens: the time for action is now. Civil society awaits a response from the presidency to facilitate a national dialogue and drive the preparations forward.
“This is a collective responsibility,” Yakani concluded, urging all stakeholders to come together to safeguard the integrity and timelines of the electoral process.
