Eastern Equatoria State on Saturday launched its State High Election Committee office and a statewide civic and voter education campaign, as authorities stepped up preparations for general elections in December. The launch in Torit brought together state officials, representatives of political parties, civil society groups and election stakeholders, who pledged to support voter education and registration across the state. “We are going to visit the eight counties and administrative areas, explaining to the people how they can go for election because election is an inclusive activity,” Famai said. He said voter registration would be conducted by local residents rather than officials brought in from outside the communities. Ochola Bosco Oringa, a member of the SPLM-IO National Liberation Council in Eastern Equatoria, said his party would work with the electoral committee to support civic education while preparing to contest the polls.