South Sudan plans to hold its first general elections since independence on December 22, 2026, but preparations face severe administrative, logistical, and legal obstacles. Voter registration is due to begin in early November, leaving less than two months to create a national register, verify voters, confirm candidates, print ballots, and organize polling. The country also has no existing electoral register, while poor roads, flooding, and widespread displacement complicate access. Uncertainty also surrounds a recently amended election law whose final text has not been made public. Previous elections have been postponed twice since the 2018 peace agreement. Another delay could prolong caretaker rule without parliamentary oversight, but holding the vote on schedule may prove unworkable. Experts suggest that the country explore instituting a limited technical postponement or staging the presidential and parliamentary contests months apart.