The National Autonomous Electoral Commission (CENA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are joining forces in a strategic dialogue to ensure a transparent election in Benin in 2026.
This meeting between CENA and ECOWAS is part of a broader effort to strengthen the democratic process in Benin ahead of the 2026 general elections.
During the meeting held in Cotonou, Sacca Lafia, President of CENA, and Amadou Diongue, ECOWAS Resident Representative, discussed the progress of electoral preparations and the forms of support the regional organization could provide.
Sacca Lafia emphasized that CENA is making every effort to ensure a peaceful, inclusive, and credible election, with a particular focus on logistics and mobilizing the necessary resources.
Amadou Diongue, for his part, praised the efforts already undertaken by CENA and highlighted the importance of training electoral officers. He stressed that properly preparing the personnel in charge of voting operations is essential to ensuring the transparency and reliability of the process.
The ECOWAS representative also underscored the role of digital tools in optimizing the electoral process. He pointed out that technology could play a key role in enhancing transparency and building public trust in the election results.
At the end of the meeting, both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their collaboration to ensure elections that adhere to democratic principles and international standards. They agreed to strengthen their technical cooperation and promote broad citizen participation to make the election a success.
