Benin’s National Assembly has moved to temporarily abolish the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA), the body responsible for organizing the country’s elections.
Lawmakers have framed the move as a cost-cutting measure. It comes after recent constitutional reforms extended the terms of the president, deputies, and municipal councilors to seven years each — reducing the immediate need for the commission’s services since no elections are due in the near term.
Officials say a transitional period will now begin before a replacement body is set up, with a new institutional framework to be designed around the recently reformed electoral cycle.
CENA has historically been tasked with overseeing electoral operations, ensuring elections run smoothly, and safeguarding the credibility of results. Its performance, however, has drawn criticism in recent years.
In the meantime, the Council of Ministers will determine how to wind down CENA’s existing obligations and how its assets should be safeguarded during the interim.
Source : Africanews/Emmanuel Nettey
