The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on its election observers to maintain neutrality and professionalism ahead of Benin’s presidential election scheduled for April 12, 2026.
Head of the ECOWAS Observation Mission and former Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, made the appeal during a briefing of more than 100 observers in Cotonou prior to their deployment.
Akufo-Addo emphasized that the role of observers is to monitor and report on the electoral process in line with international standards and best practices. He urged them to strictly adhere to principles of objectivity and impartiality in their assessments.
“Our role is to observe and report on the conduct of the electoral process,” he stated, adding that credibility depends on respecting established rules and methodologies guiding election observation.
He noted that election observation plays a critical role in strengthening democratic processes by enhancing transparency, building public confidence, and safeguarding voters’ rights. According to him, the presence of observers can help deter electoral malpractice and ensure accountability.
Akufo-Addo also expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Alieu Touray, for facilitating the deployment of observers across the country.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, highlighted the broader context of the election, noting that it is taking place amid global geopolitical shifts and rising security concerns, including terrorism and instability in parts of the region.
Observers say the conduct of the election will be closely watched as a measure of Benin’s democratic resilience and commitment to credible electoral processes.
