New digital registration system will ensure fair play, transparency – PPC’s Akol

Chairperson of the Political Parties Council (PPC), Eng. James Akol Zakayo, says platform will ensure all political parties operate within the law and on a level playing field

By Samuel Yuang

The Chairperson of the Political Parties Council (PPC), Eng. James Akol Zakayo, says the Council’s newly acquired advanced registration system is designed to strengthen democratic processes and guarantee equal competition among political parties.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Eng. Akol explained the purpose and significance of the new digital infrastructure.

“We are now working to master our newly acquired advanced registration system,” he said. “This Council operates under a strict mandate to protect and preserve democratic integrity.”

He emphasized that the system is far more than just an administrative tool.

“The digital infrastructure we are putting in place is not a bureaucratic hurdle. It is the democratic foundation built to guarantee equal competition. This is a system of trust, coupled with total transparency and legal compliance under the Political Parties Act 2012 as amended,” he stated.

The Chairperson noted that the platform will help ensure all political parties operate within the law and on a level playing field, reinforcing public confidence in the country’s political framework.

Election preparedness

On Monday, PPC launched a five-day workshop for representatives of registered political parties in an effort to strengthen their preparedness for the upcoming elections. The training is aimed at building capacity of political parties in governance, conflict resolution and digital operations.

The training has kicked off just few days after the Political Parties Council (PPC) announced June 30 as the deadline for registration for parties seeking to contest the 2026 general elections’

 In a public notice issued on 1 June, the council said all aspiring political parties must complete their registration by 30 June 2026 to qualify for participation in the country’s planned elections.

“The Political Parties Council (PPC) advises all aspiring political groups of the upcoming regulatory timeline for the 2026 General Elections,” PPC Chairperson James Akol Zakayo said.

According to the registrar of political parties, though political party registration is open throughout the year, only parties registered by June 30 will be eligible to contest in the 2026 general elections.

“General Registration remains a continuous, ongoing process,” but the “Election Cut-Off Date is June 30, 2026,” the notice read, urging parties that have not completed the process to act swiftly to meet the deadline.

The Council said applicants must include completed registration forms, certified copy of the party constitution and rules, list of founding members with nationwide membership signatures, detail of office bearers at national and state levels and proof of payment of the prescribed registration fees.

The Council also instructed all registered political parties to submit their audited financial statements for the 2025/2026 financial year.

“The Political Parties Council (PPC) hereby notifies all registered political parties to submit their audited books of accounts for the Financial Year 2025/2026 to the PPC within the first week of July 2026,” PPC said.

So far, the Political Parties Council has registered 29 political parties.

The PPC Chair has also urged political parties to submit their audited financial reports by the first week of July or face administrative penalties; in line with the legal requirement for the parties to demonstrate transparency in their sources of funding and expenditures through audited books.

Despite some of the task under the 2018 peace agreement being unfulfilled, raising concerns in the ability to conduct credible elections, the government has continued to urge the public and relevant electoral bodies to prepare for the process.