Benin’s National Assembly has approved the temporary dissolution of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA), the independent body responsible for organizing and overseeing elections, as part of a government drive to reduce public spending. The decision follows recent constitutional and electoral reforms that extended the mandates of the president, members of parliament and municipal councilors to seven years, significantly reducing the need for national elections in the immediate future.
Government officials said the suspension is a transitional measure while authorities develop a new electoral management framework aligned with the country’s revised political and institutional structure. A replacement body is expected to be established after consultations and legal reforms are completed. In the meantime, the Council of Ministers will oversee the process of winding down CENA’s operations, including terminating its existing commitments and safeguarding its assets until a new institution is created.
CENA has played a central role in supervising elections, ensuring compliance with electoral laws and promoting the credibility and transparency of election results. However, the commission has faced growing criticism in recent years over its effectiveness and independence, particularly amid concerns raised by opposition parties and civil society groups about Benin’s electoral process. The temporary abolition of the electoral commission marks another significant change in Benin’s political landscape as the government continues to implement institutional reforms ahead of the country’s next electoral cycle.
