Benin Republic Electoral Officials Storms Nigeria to Take Lessons from INEC

By Samaila Emmanuel Bzugu

In a bid to enhance its electoral system, a 12-member delegation from Benin Republic’s Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA) visited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Monday. The delegation, led by CENA President Sacca Lafia, comprised national commissioners, directors, and senior staff.

The visit aimed to learn from Nigeria’s electoral processes and best practices as Benin Republic prepares for its upcoming 2026 elections. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu received the delegation alongside other top officials at INEC headquarters.

CENA had expressed interest in learning from Nigeria’s electoral experience

Yakubu underscored the importance of the visit, noting that CENA had expressed interest in learning from Nigeria’s electoral experience. The INEC Chairman assured CENA that they would share their experience and provide relevant documents to enrich their understanding of Nigeria’s electoral processes.

The visit reflects Benin’s efforts to adopt tested practices from neighboring Nigeria to enhance its electoral system. The delegation’s study tour is expected to cover various aspects of Nigeria’s electoral process, including the legal framework, election material design, recruitment and training of poll officials, election budgeting, security, and technology.