Initially scheduled to be held by 9 July 2015,[1][2] in light of an alleged coup d'état attempt and continuing conflict in the country this was thrown into doubt, especially since no permanent constitution had been formulated.

The South Sudan parliament voted in April 2015 to amend the country's transitional 2011 constitution to extend the presidential and parliamentary term until 9 July 2018, with 264 members in favour and a handful opposing it.

[6][7] In September 2024, the government ordered the elections to be postponed until 22 December 2026, citing the need to complete institutional processes such the creation of a census and a permanent constitution and the registration of political parties.

While civil war ensued, at the end of September 2014 an Intergovernmental Authority on Development-mediated resolution was agreed upon that would lead to the federalisation of the country's governance.

To be eligible for election, a candidate must be a South Sudanese citizen by birth, be "of sound mind", be 40 years of age or older, be literate, and not have been convicted of a criminal offence involving "fraud, dishonesty, or moral turpitude".