Presidential election on April 12, 2026: CENA approves the specimen of the single-ballot paper

The Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA) held on Monday, February 9, 2026, a session dedicated to validating the specimen of the single-ballot for the presidential election scheduled for April 12, 2026.

The meeting took place in the institution’s conference room, in the presence of representatives of the candidates in the race.
The Wadagni–Talata presidential ticket was represented by running mate Mariam Chabi Talata Zimé Yérima, while the Hounkpè–Hounwanou duo, backed by the party Force cauris pour un Bénin émergent (FCBE), was represented by Abdoulaziz Yarou Brisso.

At the opening of the proceedings, the president of CENA, Sacca Lafia, recalled the purpose of the session and invited participants to thoroughly examine the mock-up of the single-ballot paper intended for the election of the President of the Republic and his Vice President. A detailed presentation of the document was then given, followed by a projection allowing the assessment of the arrangement of the graphical elements, notably the positioning of the logos of the different candidatures.

Following this examination, the FCBE representatives validated the proposed specimen, while noting a minor repositioning of their logo. A request which, according to explanations provided by CENA, could no longer be considered at this advanced stage of the electoral process.

For its part, the representative of the presidential movement’s ticket expressed a desire to have the logo of their candidacy slightly enlarged on the single ballot.

In response to these observations, the president of CENA, in coordination with the General Directorate of Elections, reassured the stakeholders of the institution’s willingness to examine all remarks raised, in strict compliance with the legal and regulatory provisions in force.

This validation session is part of the transparency, consultation and rigor that CENA advocates, a few weeks before a presidential election described as decisive for the country’s political future.

Overview of the specimen