2026 presidential election in Benin: 48 hours for the three disqualified duos to return to the race
The National Autonomous Electoral Commission (CENA) made public on Thursday, October 23, 2025, the provisional results of its review of candidacy files for the presidential election scheduled for 2026. On the announced list, several duos were provisionally accepted, while others were rejected due to non-compliant files.
Sacca Lafia , Président de la CENA au Bénin PH: Présidence du Bénin
Among the disqualified candidates are notably the duo Renaud Agbodjo – Jude Lodjou of the party Les Démocrates, the duo Ouinsavi – Houndjè, and the duo Agbossaga – Gnanho.
According to CENA, these rejections follow irregularities found in the application documents, particularly in the sponsorship forms and certain required administrative papers.
48 hours to contest
In accordance with the provisions of the electoral code, candidates who were not accepted have a 48-hour period from notification to bring the matter before the competent court, namely the Constitutional Court, in order to contest CENA’s decision.
CENA, which anticipated the publication of the provisional candidacy results for the upcoming presidential election (its timetable had indicated October 26), is sparing Boni Yayi’s party some trouble.
Indeed, Les Démocrates had appealed to the Court over a dispute concerning deputy Michel Sodjinou’s sponsorship form. The next steps for the opposition party depend on the court’s decision.
If the court’s decision, to be issued shortly, is favorable to them, the Agbodjo-Lodjou ticket will be reinstated on the list of accepted candidates. If not, the 48 hours they have for an appeal to the Court will be unnecessary, because no other miracle will be possible.