PRESS RELEASE: Cotonou, Benin, 26 March, 2026
Ghana’s immediate-past President, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, is head of the 120-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the Republic of Benin’s Presidential election on 12 April 2026.
Supported by a Technical Team led by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, the Mission will observe all key aspects of the processes leading up to the election – campaigns, Election Day activities, and during the post-election period.
The Observation Mission will also meet with various stakeholders, including Government institutions, political parties, civil society organisations, the media and development partners.
The objective is to sustain ECOWAS’ involvement in supporting the electoral process and promoting a democratic culture in West Africa.
As part of the consultations, the ECOWAS Long-Term Election Observers (LTOs) already deployed in the country, met on Wednesday, 24 March, with officials of the Benin National Electoral Commission, CENA, led by its Chairman, Sacca Lafia.
ECOWAS acting Head of Electoral Assistance Division, Serine Ka, introducing the LTOs & their mission
He briefed the EOM team led by Mr Serigne Mamadou Ka, Head of ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division (EAD), on the Commission’s preparations, including training of electoral officials and logistical plans such as the distribution of electoral materials.
CENA Chairman Sacca Lafia
Mr Lafia assured that CENA envisaged no difficulties, building on the legislative and municipal polls, which it conducted in January.
On Tuesday, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, Ambassador Amadou Diongue, briefed the LTOs on the political background and context of the presidential vote.
The team also met with Mr Francis Oke, former ECOWAS Representative to the African Union in Addis Ababa, and also former head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division.
Some 8 million voters, registered by CENA from among Benin’s estimated 15 million people, will choose a new president to replace outgoing President Patrice Talon, who will be completing his constitutionally allowed two terms.
Benin’s outgoing President Patrice Talon
The ruling coalition is fielding Mr Kossi Mbuèke Romuald Wadagni, the Finance Economy Minister, as its flag-bearer, while the opposition Presidential candidate is Mr Paul Hounkpè.
Under the Benin constitution, a candidate requires 50%+1 vote to win the presidency. If the first round of balloting is inconclusive, the two front-runners will go into a run-off vote within 28 days. But with two candidates in the April 12 race, a run-off vote is not envisaged.
The presidential election, which follows the legislative and municipal polls in January, is taking place in a political environment characterised by constitutional reforms and a profound shift in the institutional and partisan landscape, including a foiled military coup in December 2025.
ECOWAS deployed a pre-election fact-finding mission to Benin from 7 to 17 January 2026, which consulted with political stakeholders, including government representatives, political party coalitions, CENA and civil society actors.
ECOWAS has reaffirmed its commitment to support the country in organising a credible, transparent and peaceful presidential election, toward the consolidation of democracy, good governance, peace and stability in the region.
