South Sudan

Transitional National Legislative AssemblyCouncil of States

Transitional National Legislative Assembly

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections

Background

Election date(s) The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
10.05.2021
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
08.05.2021
Timing of election Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Delayed elections
Expected date of next elections The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
31.12.2024
Number of seats at stake Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
550
Scope of elections Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal

Results

About the election Short description of the context and results of the election.
South Sudan gained independence on 9 July 2011. In August that year, the National Legislature was established. It comprised a 332-member National Legislative Assembly and a 50-member Council of States.

In accordance with the August 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, on 4 August 2016, a 400-member Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) replaced the National Legislative Assembly, while the 50-member Council of States has continued to function as the upper chamber of parliament.

The August 2015 Agreement foresaw a transitional period of 36 months and was due to expire in August 2018. On 12 July 2018, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly extended its term to 12 July 2021.

On 25 July 2018, the Transitional Government of National Unity and the opposition forces signed the Agreement on Outstanding Issues of Governance. The Agreement stipulated that TNLA would comprise 550 members, to be nominated by:
- Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU): 332 members
- Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO): 128 members
- South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA): 50 members
- Other Political Parties (OPP): 30 members
- Former Detainees (FDs): 10 members.

On 12 September 2018, President Salva Kiir and former Vice-President Riek Machar signed the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan. The Agreement foresees a transitional period totaling of 52 months (until January 2023) and the holding of a general election in 30 months (April 2022). However, the formation of the TGoNU has been successively postponed due to ensuing conflicts in the country. That has also delayed the formation of a 550-member TNLA.

On 20 February 2020, President Salva Kiir and Mr. Riek Machar (SPLM/A-IO) agreed to form a TGoNU on 22 February. On that day Mr. Machar was sworn in as the First Vice President. On 12 March, the President named a 35-member TGoNU. The term of the TGoNU is 36 months (until February 2023).

The formation of the TGoNU paved the way for the TNLA to be re-constituted as a 550-member body in accordance with the July 2018 agreement. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the formation of the body was further delayed.

On 8 May 2021, President Kiir dissolved both the 400-member TNLA and the 50-member Council of States and proceeded to appoint a 550-member TNLA on 10 May. On 3 July, President Kiir revoked the appointment of 35 members.

On 2 August, 504 members in the new 550-member TNLA and 84 members of the new 100 member Council of States were sworn in. The TNLA elected Ms. Jemma Nunu Kumba of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM, representing TGoNU) as its new Speaker. She thereby became the first woman in South Sudan to assume the post.

On the same day, the new Council of States elected Mr. Deng Deng Akon of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) as its new Chairman.

On 30 August, President Kiir officially opened the new parliament.
Alternation of power after elections The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Not applicable
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
391
Number of women elected
159
Percentage of women elected The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
28.91%
Note on the Distribution of seats according to sex
In May 2021, there were 159 women among the 550 newly appointed TNLA members. However, in July, the President revoked the membership of 35 appointees.
Although the President appointed their replacements, only 504 members, including 170 women, were sworn in in August.
Some members were sworn in while others have been removed by the President since then. The TNLA subsequently comprised 522 members, including 174 women.
On 17 September, the President appointed 28 members including 4 women.
As at 8 November, there were 178 women out of 550 members.
Sources
Transitional National Legislative Assembly (12.05.2021, 30.08.2021, 31.08.2021, 08.11.2021)
Women Appointed
159

New legislature

Total number of men after the election The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
372
Total number of women after the election The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
178
Date of the first session The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
02.08.2021
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Jemma Nunu Kumba (Female)
Political party
Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)
Date of election
02.08.2021