Burkina Faso's Transitional Legislative Assembly has approved the dissolution of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), which has been in place for more than 20 years and has been called for by the military regime, the Minister of Territorial Administration said on Tuesday.

Burkina Faso is ruled by a military junta headed by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who came to power in September 2022 in a coup d'état and claims to be "not a democracy."

In mid-July, the military regime adopted a bill aimed at dissolving the Electoral Commission, which it deemed "budget-consuming" and subject to "foreign influence."

On Tuesday, the Transitional Legislative Assembly unanimously "adopted" this law, which abolishes the CENI, declared the Minister of Territorial Administration, Emile Zerbo, following the vote by Burkinabe parliamentarians.

"It's about rebuilding the state, moving towards streamlining institutions and saving money on spending," he said, adding that his ministry would now be in charge of organizing the elections.

Created in May 1998 and established in 2001, the CENI claimed to be an "independent" structure responsible for organizing elections since the return to multiparty politics in 1991.

It was composed of 15 commissioners from political parties and civil society, who took an oath before the Constitutional Council.

The political transition in Burkina Faso, which began after the first coup in January 2022, was initially scheduled to end with elections in July 2024.

But Captain Ibrahim Traoré's junta ultimately extended his transition period for five years at the head of this country, ravaged by jihadist violence that has left thousands dead for nearly 10 years.

According to the transition charter, Captain Traoré will be able to stand in the "presidential, legislative and municipal elections", which should in principle be organised at the end of these five years.