A 12-member delegation from the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA) of Benin Republic has embarked on a study tour of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The delegation, led by Sacca Lafia, CENA’s president, comprised national commissioners, directors, and senior staff.
The group was officially welcomed on Monday at INEC headquarters in Abuja by Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman, along with other members of the commission. Lafia stated that the purpose of the visit was to gain insights into Nigeria’s electoral processes and adopt best practices to enhance preparations for Benin Republic’s upcoming 2026 elections.
In his remarks, Yakubu emphasized the importance of the visit, noting the unique challenges CENA is set to face in its forthcoming electoral cycle. He explained that INEC had received a formal letter from CENA early last month, expressing its interest in undertaking a study visit to Nigeria. This was in light of Benin Republic’s plan to conduct its most intricate election to date.
Yakubu detailed the scope of CENA’s 2026 elections, which will involve holding three separate elections within a span of three months. Legislative and local government elections are scheduled for January 2026, followed by the presidential election in April 2026. This compressed timeline presents unprecedented challenges for CENA.
To address the delegation’s areas of interest, Yakubu said INEC had organized a comprehensive programme. The visit will focus on key aspects of Nigeria’s electoral system, including:
The legal framework governing elections, The design and printing of election materials and forms, The recruitment and training of polling officials, Election budgeting and payment modalities for service providers, Security arrangements during elections, The application of technology in electoral processes, The accreditation of local and international election observers, Stakeholder engagement during elections, among other topics.
Yakubu assured the delegation of access to all relevant resources, documentation, and expertise to assist CENA in its preparations. He added that INEC officials from various departments would brief the delegation in detail, sharing Nigeria’s experiences and solutions to electoral challenges.
The visit underscores INEC’s role as a reference point for electoral processes across Africa, and the collaboration is expected to strengthen bilateral ties and improve electoral practices in both countries.
