A delegation from Senegal's General Directorate of Elections (DGE) began a three-day working visit to Benin on Wednesday, February 11. They came to learn about the specifics of the Beninese model for organizing elections. This was stated by the president of the National Autonomous Electoral Commission (CENA), Sacca Lafia, who received them this morning at the institution's headquarters in Cotonou.

"They want to draw inspiration from our experience to understand how..."

“Our colleagues believe that Benin has unique characteristics in the organization of elections, the structuring and financing of political parties. They wish to draw inspiration from our experience to understand how we manage to organize elections peacefully,” said the former minister under Patrice Talon.

The two parties will focus their discussions on the organization, responsibilities and functioning of the Directorate General of Elections and the Electoral Council.

Indeed, these two bodies are responsible for managing elections in Benin. This is not like in Senegal where only the DGE is in charge.

It is worth recalling that about a year ago, a delegation from the CENA had already gone to Senegal for the same exercise, that is to say, to learn from the Senegalese experience in the organization of elections.

President Sacca Lafia stated this morning that the lessons learned from this mission had contributed to the successful organization of the combined elections in Benin.

Note that the Senegalese delegation is led by the head of the DGE, Biram Sène. They will make a stop in Ouidah at the end of their mission.