Benin electoral commission hails INEC as model for West Africa

The Commission Electorale Nationale Autonomie (CENA) of Benin Republic has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as a model for other West African countries to follow.

According to CENA, Nigeria’s electoral progress has positioned INEC as a benchmark for best practices in electoral management in the sub-region.

President of CENA, Dr. Sacca Lafia, stated this when he led a high-ranking delegation to INEC’s Headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

The delegation also included three Commissioners, Directors, and other senior staff of CENA who focused their visit on understanding Nigeria’s electoral strategies ahead of the Benin’s elections in 2026.

Lafia expressed deep appreciation for INEC’s hospitality and the extensive preparations made for the visit.

Lafia reaffirmed Benin’s commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections in 2026.

“This visit is critical for us. Nigeria’s electoral strides have positioned INEC as a model for the region, and we are here to learn and implement those lessons in Benin,” Lafia said.

Yakubu on his part commended the delegation’s proactive approach in seeking to learn from Nigeria’s electoral experiences as they prepare for what promises to be a landmark election year in Benin.

The INEC boss emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in addressing shared electoral challenges.

Yakubu outlined the significant challenges ahead for Benin’s electoral commission, noting that the 2026 elections will be the most complex in the country’s history.

Over a three-month period, CENA will oversee legislative and local elections in January, followed by a presidential election in April.

“CENA is interested in the legal framework for elections in Nigeria, the design and printing of election materials, recruitment and training of polling officials, election budgeting and payment systems, security arrangements, the use of technology, accreditation of observers, and stakeholder engagement,” Yakubu explained.

In response to CENA’s request for a Study Visit, Yakubu said INEC has prepared a robust program covering every aspect of Nigeria’s electoral processes.

“Various INEC departments have been slated to make presentations and give in-depth insights on critical electoral activities and processes. Over the next four days, these interactions will showcase best practices and lessons learned from past elections”, he stated.

Yakubu also stressed the importance of peer learning in strengthening electoral processes.

“Peer learning and support help strengthen processes. I want to assure CENA that we will fully share our experiences with you and provide relevant documents to enrich your understanding of our procedures,” he said.