With only two days remaining until the April 12 polls, the ECOWAS observation mission, comprising more than 100 observers and experts, is ramping up meetings with Beninese institutions to ensure the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Election Observation Mission, led by former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, intensified its consultations on Thursday with key institutions responsible for organizing Benin’s presidential election.
This push comes amid the expanded deployment of monitoring teams across the country.
Since arriving in Cotonou on April 8, the Head of Mission has been overseeing a broad observation framework. The mission includes 80 short-term observers deployed for polling day, 15 long-term experts and 25 young professionals monitoring the integrity of the process.
Accompanied by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, and the organization’s Resident Representative in Benin, Amadou Diongue, Nana Akufo-Addo met with several institutional stakeholders on April 9.
At the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA), the delegation consulted with President Saka Lafia regarding the progress of technical preparations, including the deployment of sensitive electoral materials, the organization of polling stations, and regional security protocols.
Discussions continued at the Constitutional Court with its President, Dorothé Sossa. The Court is tasked with overseeing the legality of the vote and the final proclamation of results.
Later in the day, the mission met with Edouard Loko, President of the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC), and his advisors.
The meeting focused on media regulation during the electoral
period and mechanisms designed to ensure balanced coverage for all candidates.
This deployment is conducted under the framework of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. According to the Head of Mission, the team aims to work closely with Beninese authorities to ensure a “peaceful, credible vote that reflects the popular will.”
The election involves an electorate of 7,897,287 voters across 17,462 polling stations nationwide and the race primarily features a head-to-head duel between the ruling party’s candidate, Romuald Wadagni, and opposition candidate Paul Hounkpè.
The campaign unfolds in a context marked by the disqualification of several major political figures, narrowing the field to two main contenders. The electoral campaign is set to conclude this Friday, April 10, 48 hours before the polls open.
AC/Sf/lb/gik/APA