Municipal elections 2026: FCBE the first party to submit its candidacy file to the CENA

It was 7:49 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, when the party Forces Cauris pour un Bénin Émergent (FCBE) made its entry into the headquarters of the Commission électorale nationale autonome (CENA).

The party led by former minister Paul Hounkpè came with its paperwork to officially submit its declaration of candidacies for the municipal elections of January 11, 2026.

The FCBE thus became the first political party to complete this formality as part of the ongoing electoral process.

The team, led by some party officials, was received by the relevant services of the CENA, in accordance with the arrangements set up for receiving candidacy files.

The submission took place a few hours before the official close of registrations, scheduled for that Tuesday at midnight.