A delegation of 12 senior officials from Benin Republic’s electoral body, Commission Electorale Nationale Autonomie (CENA), is currently visiting Nigeria to study the country’s electoral processes and procedures.
The team, led by CENA President Dr. Sacca Lafia, was received on Monday by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja.
Yakubu revealed that the delegation, comprising national commissioners, directors, and other key personnel, is keen on learning from Nigeria as Benin Republic prepares for its most challenging elections in 2026.
“For the first time in its history, CENA will conduct three elections within three months, including legislative and local elections in January 2026, followed by the presidential election in April,” Yakubu said.
He noted that CENA had expressed particular interest in various aspects of Nigeria’s electoral process, including the legal framework, the design and printing of election materials, recruitment and training of poll officials, election budgeting, and the use of technology.
Other key areas of focus include election security, payment to service providers, accreditation of observers, and stakeholder engagement. Yakubu assured the delegation of INEC’s full support throughout their visit.
“We will fully share our experiences with you and make available all necessary resources to enrich your understanding of our processes,” Yakubu said, adding that INEC had prepared an extensive programme for the team.
In his response, Lafia expressed gratitude for the warm reception and emphasized the importance of the visit in improving Benin Republic’s electoral system.
“The president has mandated the conduct of three elections within three months in 2026. Learning from Nigeria’s experience will help us achieve this goal successfully,” he said.
