Benin Votes as ECOWAS Observers Complete Election Deployment Preparations

The Republic of Benin went to the polls on Sunday, 12 April 2026, as citizens participated in the country’s presidential election.

Two main candidate tickets were cleared by the Electoral Commission for the contest.

They include Romuald Wadagni, running with Mariam Chabi Talata representing the ruling coalition, and Paul Hounkpè, paired with Rock Judicaël Hounwanou of the opposition FCBE.

In the lead-up to election day, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission finalized key operational arrangements on Saturday, 11 April 2026.

The Deputy Director of Logistics at the National Elections Commission of Liberia (NECㅡLiberia), Mr. Edwin Y. Freeman, played a leading role in coordinating the completion and distribution of deployment plans for both short-term and long-term observers assigned to field monitoring duties.

Mr. Freeman was part of a regional observation team comprising election professionals from Ghana and Cape Verde, underscoring ECOWAS’ continued commitment to regional cooperation in strengthening democratic processes across West Africa.

He noted that the team successfully identified and verified 27 polling stations across Cotonou, with support from district police authorities, ensuring accurate mapping and improved accessibility for observers on election day.

As part of pre-election engagements, the NEC logistics team also held discussions with Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr., who chairs the ECOWAS Parliament Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security, and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).