Benin’s National Autonomous Electoral Commission (CENA) is ramping up its training and awareness efforts for local elected officials on the country’s sponsorship system, a crucial step for prospective candidates in the 2026 presidential election.
Following a session in Parakou on August 12, which gathered mayors from the departments of Atacora, Donga, Borgou, and Alibori, CENA organized another meeting for officials from other regions.
The delegation, led by Laurentine Adossou Davo, rapporteur of the Electoral Council, focused on the theme: “Conditions for operationalizing sponsorship and procedure for issuing the nominative form to elected officials.”
Sponsorship, enshrined in Article 44 of the Constitution and detailed in Article 41 of the Electoral Code, represents a legal prerequisite for anyone seeking the nation’s highest office.
Adossou Davo, alongside CENA advisors Ibrahim Izou-Dine and executive Serge Armand Houndolo, presented updates implemented after the 2021 electoral cycle.
These include clarifying the legal and territorial foundations of the system, outlining the threshold needed to validate candidate pairs, and emphasizing the strictly personal nature of the nominative form.
Participants were guided through the four sections of the form and the practical steps taken to ensure secure delivery. From reception at CENA headquarters to the final handover, officials were briefed on procedures designed to guarantee full legal compliance.
The initiative was met with positive feedback from local leaders.
Comlan Fagbemon, Mayor of Bantè, described the session as “a wonderful meeting that met my expectations,” praising the clarity of the explanations.
Me Rufino d’Almeida, Mayor of Bohicon, called the initiative “the second highlight in the preparation for the next presidential election,” following the submission of the electoral list by CENA.
For Laurentine Adossou Davo, the campaign reflects the commission’s commitment to a “rigorous and inclusive” electoral process, ensuring that every stakeholder is equipped with the knowledge and tools required to meet their obligations ahead of the 2026 vote.
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