South Sudan is set to hold its first general elections since independence in December 2026. The polls are intended to bring an end to the country's post-conflict transition period. However, the electoral preparations are facing significant obstacles. The National Elections Commission has announced that voter registration will begin in early November 2026, leaving less than two months before the scheduled polling day. This timeframe is extremely tight, and the remaining tasks are daunting. Firstly, South Sudan lacks a national electoral register, which must be created, verified, and confirmed before the elections can proceed. Secondly, millions of people are internally displaced, and the country's infrastructure is poor, making it difficult to organize polling across the country. Lastly, there is uncertainty surrounding a recently amended electoral law that is intended to regulate the electoral process. The dissolution of the transitional institutions established under the 2018 peace agreement in September 2026 has added to the challenges. These institutions were replaced by caretaker arrangements, making it more difficult to postpone the elections. However, any delay would also prolong the caretaker government's operation without parliamentary checks and balances. The country's challenges extend beyond the electoral calendar, and the coming months will be crucial in determining the outcome of the elections.