On August 16, 2025, in Cotonou, the National Institute of Personal Identification (ANIP) outlined a major initiative to cleanse the country’s electoral rolls of deceased individuals, aiming to strengthen the integrity of upcoming elections.
Speaking during a presentation of ANIP’s digital platforms to political parties and civil society groups, Herbert Assogba, head of policies, partnerships, and multi-channel communication, detailed the steps already underway.
ANIP has formally requested lists of deceased individuals from the Ministry of Labor and Civil Service, the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), the Public Treasury, and key media outlets, including the Benin Radio and Television Corporation (SRTB) and Canal3 Benin.
These records are being cross-referenced with ANIP’s own database to identify and remove corresponding entries from the electoral rolls.
“We have retrieved these lists but unfortunately some deceased persons do not have their Personal Identification Number (NPI) after we have cross-referenced their databases with our system. We were able to conclusively identify people in the lists. We have already removed these from the electoral roll,” Assogba explained.
To ensure comprehensive coverage, ANIP is adopting a community-based approach. Local agents, aided by town criers, will collect reports of deaths not yet registered. In a bid to facilitate reporting, the agency is offering free issuance of death certificates, waiving the usual fee of 2,000 CFA francs.
The agency has also engaged funeral homes, providing them with a standardized form to report deaths consistently and systematically. This measure aims to close gaps in existing records and prevent unregistered deaths from remaining on official lists.
This multi-pronged strategy reflects ANIP’s commitment to ensuring accurate voter registration and strengthening electoral transparency. By combining digital cross-referencing, local community engagement, and collaboration with civil authorities, the initiative seeks to create a more reliable and credible electoral process in Benin ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The effort underscores the importance of meticulous record-keeping and community involvement in safeguarding democratic processes, signaling a decisive step toward cleaner, more transparent electoral management in the country.
About The Author
