ECOWAS and African Union assess Benin’s electoral preparedness ahead of presidential poll

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The Agence Nationale d’Identification des Personnes (ANIP) has hosted separate delegations from ECOWAS and the African Union as part of assessments of Benin’s preparedness for the April 12, 2026 presidential election, with a focus on the production and management of the electoral roll.

The visits took place in Agblangandan, where officials from both regional bodies reviewed the operational systems deployed by ANIP, the institution mandated under Benin’s Electoral Code to compile and manage the national electoral list.

An ECOWAS delegation comprising experts from Senegal, Nigeria and Guinea visited on April 6, engaging ANIP officials on the structure and implementation of the country’s electoral data systems. This was followed by a mission from the African Union on April 10, led by former Burundian President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, which conducted a working visit to further examine the framework.

During the engagements, ANIP’s Director General outlined the integrated model underpinning Benin’s electoral system, which links the population register, civil registry and electoral database. He highlighted the continuous updating of records through interconnected administrative systems, alongside the use of advanced technologies to enhance data accuracy and prevent fraud.

The agency also detailed measures aimed at ensuring transparency and inclusiveness, including digital platforms and USSD services that allow citizens to verify polling information, mass SMS notifications, and the deployment of registration units nationwide and abroad to improve access to identification services.

Discussions further addressed technical processes, data security protocols and challenges related to maintaining data quality. According to ANIP, the exchanges contributed to deepening understanding of Benin’s approach to electoral management.

At the conclusion of the visits, representatives from both ECOWAS and the African Union expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness, citing the robustness of the system and the progress made in strengthening the credibility of the electoral process.