Content_paragraphs:  Credible elections are a vital component of the peace process: peaceful and
  
  transparent elections will enhance the prospects for long-term stability, while an
  
  electoral process that does not meet those criteria will, in all likelihood, undo the
  
  progress achieved over years of sustained efforts and make a safe  exit of the Mission
  
  impossible. A number of actions have to precede credible elections in South Sudan.
  
  Those actions include the reconstitution of a competent and independent National
  
  Elections Commission, as outlined in the Revitalized Peace Agreement, conducting
  
  an updated census, drafting and passing the Constitution and the Political Parties Act,
  
  and educating and registering voters. The people of South Sudan will likely need
  
  significant external support to accomplish those steps and the Agreement stip ulates
  
  that the National Elections Commission may request technical assistance from
  
  regional and international partners, in particular the African Union and the United
  
  Nations. Government officials who spoke with the review team welcomed support on
  
  those steps and UNMISS is well placed to provide technical advice, good offices
  
  engagement, overall coordination and logistical support, alongside and in
  
  coordination with UNDP, the African Union and IGAD. Such support should include
  
  strategies to ensure that women and young people are meaningfully engaged as voters
  
  and candidates, and that efforts continue to develop the capacity of civil society
  
  stakeholders, including women leaders, to participate in governance processes.