To advance its mission of promoting free, transparent, and credible elections across West Africa, the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) is conducting a significant post-election follow-up and needs assessment mission in Cotonou, Benin. This mission is scheduled to take place from September 15 to September 21, 2024.
The mission team comprises prominent figures in electoral management, including the President of Senegal’s Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA), a representative from Côte d’Ivoire’s Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), the Head of ECOWAS’ Electoral Assistance Division (EAD), who also serves as ECONEC’s Permanent Secretary, and three seasoned experts from the ECONEC Permanent Secretariat, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA).
The primary objective of this mission is to evaluate the progress made in implementing the recommendations provided by the ECOWAS electoral observation mission during the presidential election held in April 2021. This evaluation is crucial as it will help understand the extent to which these recommendations have been put into practice and will also assess the technical and material needs of key stakeholders as they prepare for the upcoming 2026 presidential election.
During their visit, the team will engage in comprehensive discussions with various stakeholders including the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA), government officials, political parties, and civil society organizations. These meetings will provide valuable insights into the current state of electoral processes and reforms. The goal is to gather a wide range of perspectives on how well the recommended changes are being implemented and to identify any gaps or additional support needed.
The assessment will focus on several key areas: the effectiveness of reforms already enacted, the challenges faced by electoral bodies and other stakeholders, and the overall readiness for future elections. This approach will help in crafting targeted recommendations to address any issues identified and ensure that the electoral process in Benin remains robust and transparent.
ECONEC, which was established in February 2008, serves as the umbrella organization for electoral management bodies across West Africa. It was created to foster the principles of free, fair, and credible elections in the region. The formation of ECONEC was inspired by the ECOWAS Declaration of Political Principles, adopted by the ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government in 1991.
This declaration outlines the commitment of member states to uphold democratic principles and conduct elections in a manner that reflects the will of the people.
Through this mission, ECONEC aims to support the continuous improvement of electoral processes in Benin and across the region, ensuring that elections are conducted with the highest standards of integrity and transparency.
