The African Union (AU) routinely deploys election observation missions to Benin and has worked in close cooperation with CENA. For example, in the mission for the April 2021 presidential election, the AU’s preliminary statement explicitly noted the presence and role…
COSCEP is a prominent coalition of several civil society organizations in Benin, dedicated to peace and electoral integrity. In the 8 January 2023 legislative election, the coalition deployed 623 observers (77 mobile and 546 fixed) across all communes, all of…
PEOSC is a major civil-society network in Benin, coordinated by WANEP-Bénin, which works to promote election transparency, citizen participation, and accountability. Through a strategic “Observer – Rapporter – Agir” approach, the PEOSC deploys fixed observers in polling stations across all…
Through its Electoral Violence Monitoring, Analysis and Mitigation (E-MAM) project, WANEP is actively involved in monitoring electoral tensions and violence in Benin. It has a presence and network in Benin, contributing to peacebuilding and electoral integrity.
The presidential election is scheduled for 12 April 2026. If no candidate wins a majority in the first round, a second round is planned for 10 May 2026.
Legislative (parliamentary) and communal (municipal) elections on 11 January 2026.
Civil society organizations, religious groups, and domestic observer missions contribute significantly to electoral integrity in Benin. They engage in voter education, monitor campaign activities, observe polling operations, and report irregularities to promote transparency. International observer missions often complement these efforts…
The Constitutional Court plays a crucial role as the ultimate legal authority in electoral matters. It is responsible for validating candidacies, ensuring that electoral laws are respected, and adjudicating disputes arising before, during, or after elections. Importantly, it receives and…
The CENA is Benin’s central election management body responsible for organizing and supervising all national elections. It operates as a permanent, autonomous institution with legal personality, ensuring continuity and professionalism in the electoral process. CENA is composed of two main…
Benin operates as a presidential republic with a multi-party system, but recent years have seen increasing concentration of power under President Patrice Talon, despite the re-emergence of the opposition in the 2023 parliamentary elections. Challenges include high corruption, poverty, and security risks from violent extremist organizations in the north. A new electoral code was adopted in 2024, with the next general elections scheduled for 2026.
