Benin – 2026 Legislative Elections: no grace period, every incomplete file to be systematically rejected

Sacca Lafia reminded political parties that candidacies for the 2026 legislative elections will not be granted any additional deadline, and that an incomplete file will be automatically rejected.

The warning comes 48 hours after the opening of candidacy filing, during which no party had yet come forward to CENA.

Speaking at the ceremony to hand over final certificates to the presidential ticket duos selected for the race, Sacca Lafia reaffirmed CENA’s firm stance. The initial one-week extension will not be prolonged, and every party will have to submit a file that is “complete, compliant and beyond reproach.”

He stressed that administrative rigour is not a bureaucratic constraint but a necessity to preserve the credibility of the electoral process. Any failure to comply will result in immediate rejection.

The parties present received the reminder with gravity, aware that meeting CENA’s requirements already amounts to a first test. The FCBE announced it will file its declaration of candidacy this Tuesday, November 18, 2025.