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.
Benin Republic
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.
14.46M+
Population
100:101
Men-Women Ratio
26.61%
Women Representation
Overview
Benin, formerly known as the Republic of Dahomey, under French colonial rule gained its independence in 1960, with Hubert Maga serving as its first president. In 1975. Benin operates as a presidential republic with a unicameral National Assembly and an independent judiciary.
The President, elected through a two-round system for a five-year term (renewable once), serves as both head of state and government. Elections for the National Assembly’s 109 members use closed-list proportional representation in multi-member constituencies, each department electing deputies subject to thresholds and term limits.
The country has experienced political volatility, including periods of authoritarian rule under Mathieu Kérékou (1972–1991) before the restoration of democracy in the early 1990s. Recent years, however, reflect declining democratic freedoms amid restrictions on opposition participation, tightened electoral laws, and concerns over democratic erosion under President Patrice Talon.
Key Political Transitions:
– 1972: General Mathieu Kérékou seizes power, ruling under Marxist-Leninist policies until the early 1990s.
– 1991: Democratic reforms begin after Kérékou admits defeat in an election—marking a democratic milestone.
– 2016: Patrice Talon is elected president, initiating reforms but also facing allegations of democratic backsliding.
– 2019–2023: Legislative reforms, like high thresholds, sponsorship requirements, and party disqualifications, reduce opposition representation. The pro-government alliance consolidates power in the National Assembly.
Upcoming Elections
April 12, 2026
Presendential Election
Scheduled
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January 11, 2026
Parliamentary & Communal
Scheduled
Legislative (parliamentary) and communal (municipal) elections on 11 January 2026.
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Participation Metrics
Voter turnout in Benin has varied substantially across elections. For instance, the 2023 legislative election recorded a turnout of about 37.8% of registered voters. In contrast, historical data shows much higher participation. In 2016, for the presidential election, turnout was about 65.6% in the second round.
These fluctuations suggest varying levels of voter engagement, possibly influenced by political conditions, competitiveness, and public trust in different election cycles.
Registered Voters
According to IFES, there were 6,769,817 registered voters in Benin as of the 2023 National Assembly election. In the 2021 presidential election, reports showed 4,802,303 registered voters.
These numbers reflect voter registration growth over time, though the data do not provide a full breakdown by age or other demographic categories in all sources.
Age / Youth Participation
Data from Afrobarometer (2025) show that among 18-35-year-olds in Benin, about 67% reported voting in the 2021 presidential election.
However, this is significantly lower than turnout among older age groups, where participation ranged between 80-86%.
This suggests a generational gap in electoral participation; though many young people are registered and vote, they do so at lower rates than their elders.
Gender (Women)
In the 2023 parliamentary elections, 26.34% of the candidates were women (201 out of 763). After the election, 28 women were elected to the National Assembly, giving women 25.69% representation out of 109 seats.
This represents a notable increase in female political participation compared to prior assemblies. The improved representation may reflect recent reforms (such as reserved seats for women) that aim to enhance gender balance in Benin’s political institutions.
Key Electoral Institutions
Political parties and the National Assembly
Political parties and the National Assembly are crucial to the functioning of Mauritania’s electoral system, even though they are not direct management bodies. Political parties mobilize citizens, nominate candidates, and monitor elections through agents and observers. The National Assembly contributes by debating and enacting electoral laws, shaping the legal framework within which CENI and other institutions operate. Together, they provide democratic oversight and ensure political pluralism in the electoral environment.
Contact Information
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Constitutional Council
They serve as the highest judicial authority on electoral and constitutional matters in Mauritania. It validates and proclaims final election results, particularly for presidential and parliamentary elections, and confirms the eligibility of presidential candidates. The Council also adjudicates electoral disputes, ensuring that elections comply with the constitution and legal framework. Its rulings are final and binding, giving it a central role in safeguarding the integrity and legitimacy of electoral outcomes.
Contact Information
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Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI)
This is Mauritania’s principal body responsible for organizing and supervising all elections, including presidential, parliamentary, regional, and municipal polls. It operates as an autonomous institution mandated to ensure transparency, neutrality, and fairness in the electoral process. CENI oversees voter registration, monitors campaign conduct, manages the logistics of voting and counting, and announces provisional results. Its members are appointed through political consensus, typically representing both ruling and opposition parties, to reinforce public confidence and political balance.
Contact Information
- Headquarters: Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI) of Mauritania
- Mailing Address: B.P. 4550, Nouakchott, Mauritania
- Hotline: +222 45 24 15 40
- Email: ceni@ceni.mr
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Direction Générale des Élections (DGE)
The DGE is the main new electoral management body in Guinea, created by decree in 2025. It is responsible for organising elections (both elections and referendums), maintaining and managing the electoral register, and guaranteeing aspects of electoral fairness. The DGE also represents Guinea in regional and international electoral organisations.
Contact Information
- Headquarters: Direction Générale des Élections (DGE)
- Mailing Address: Based in Conakry, Commune de Dixinn
- Hotline: +224 628 00 00 00
- Email: contact@dge.gov.gn
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Judiciary (Election Petitions)
The High Court of The Gambia hears election petitions. (Election Petition Rules 1976 govern the process.)
Contact Information
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Electoral Laws & Policies
Law No. 2024-13 of March 15, 2024
https://documentation-anbenin.org/files/original/2765/loi-2024-13.pdf
Law No. 2019-43 of November 15, 2019 Electoral Code
https://sgg.gouv.bj/doc/loi-2019-43/
Accredited Election Monitoring Organizations
Recent Election Publication
News & Updates
Election Result Platform
How To Monitor Elections In
Benin Republic
Purpose
Promote transparent, credible, and peaceful elections in Benin (presidential, legislative, and local levels).
Key Actors
International observers (regional bodies, foreign missions, NGOs)
Domestic observers (Beninese civil society coalitions)
Citizen observers (trained volunteers)
Media observers (press accreditation)
Accreditation and Legal Framework
Accreditation: Observers typically coordinate through the National Independent Electoral Commission (CNIE) or through accredited observer coalitions recognized by CNIE.
Legal basis: Observation is permitted under Benin’s electoral laws; observers must follow accreditation rules, safety protocols, and non-interference guidelines.
Timelines: Accreditation windows open ahead of Election Day; apply via CNIE or accredited coalitions.
Observer Tracks
International observers: Regional bodies (ECOWAS AU), international NGOs, donor missions.
Domestic observers: Beninese CSOs and coalitions.
Citizen observers: Trained individuals/teams linked to networks.
Media observers: Journalists with official press accreditation.
Planning and Preparation
Join a recognized observer network or coalition; secure credentials.
Define scope: polling stations, counting centers, results transmission, or broader sampling with urban/rural balance.
Training: pre-election briefings on procedures, indicators, safety, and ethics.
Tools: standardized checklists, incident reporting templates, offline data capture options; photography where permitted.
On Election Day
At polling stations:
Verify accreditation; observe access, queues, secrecy of the vote, and procedure compliance.
Record anomalies: delays, voter intimidation, missing materials, misprinted ballots.
Counting and transmission:
Observe counting where allowed; document procedures and deviations.
Monitor results transmission; compare with official figures when possible.
Reporting:
Use approved templates; escalate issues through coalition channels or official liaison points.
Post-Election Activities
Preliminary report: concise overview of turnout, trends, and anomalies.
Verification: cross-check with official results and other observer reports.
Public engagement: brief communities, media, and stakeholders; provide channels for reporting irregularities.
Follow-up: contribute to post-election reviews and reforms.
Ethical Principles
Impartiality, non-interference, accuracy, safety, and data privacy.
Respect voters, officials, and fellow observers; avoid disrupting processes.
Timeline (Condensed)
6–12 months before: join coalition, plan accreditation.
3–6 months before: complete training; finalize deployment plan.
Weeks before: confirm sampling; arrange logistics.
Election Day: observe and report.
1–2 weeks after: publish preliminary findings; submit final report.
Resources (where to start)
Beninese electoral authority: CNIE (or equivalent national body); look for accreditation guidelines.
Regional observers: ECOWAS, AU election missions; check their Benin liaison pages.
International partners: EU EOM, UNDP/UNV or country programs (Benin), reputable NGOs.
Domestic CSOs: Beninese observer coalitions and academic partners.