Benin’s National Assembly has voted to temporarily dissolve the Autonomous National Electoral Commission, known as CENA, in a move authorities describe as part of a broader institutional reform and cost-cutting effort.

CENA has long been the body charged with organising and supervising elections, from voter registration and logistics to the tabulation and proclamation of results. Its mandate has been central to safeguarding the transparency and credibility of Benin’s polls, which have often been cited as a benchmark in West Africa.

Lawmakers backing the measure argue that recent constitutional and electoral reforms have reshaped the political calendar. The introduction of seven-year mandates for the president, members of parliament and municipal councillors means no major national or local elections are expected for several years. Maintaining a fully operational electoral commission during this period, they contend, would impose unnecessary costs on the state budget.

The government has framed the dissolution as temporary, announcing a transitional phase before a new electoral body is created. During this interval, the executive is tasked with designing what it calls an institutional framework better aligned with the new political timetable and the lessons drawn from past electoral cycles.

Officials say the future structure should respond to criticisms that have dogged CENA in recent years, including disputes over its independence, internal management and its handling of contentious polls. Political parties, civil society organisations and international observers have periodically questioned whether the commission had sufficient autonomy and resources to resist political pressure and manage complex elections.

For now, the Council of Ministers will determine how to unwind CENA’s ongoing commitments, including contracts, staffing and technical operations. It will also decide how to safeguard the commission’s assets, such as voter databases, electoral materials and information systems, which are considered critical for any future electoral authority.

The decision has sparked debate among legal experts and democracy advocates, who warn that dismantling an electoral commission without a clearly defined successor could create uncertainty. They argue that even in the absence of imminent elections, a permanent, independent body is essential to maintain voter registers, resolve disputes and prepare for unforeseen political developments.

Authorities insist that the reform will ultimately strengthen Benin’s electoral architecture. The coming months will reveal whether the promised new institution can balance cost savings with the need for credible, transparent and inclusive elections.