Benin’s Constitutional Court has upheld a decision to exclude the country’s main opposition party, Les Démocrates, from contesting the April 2026 presidential election.
The court ruled on Monday, October 27, that the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA) did not violate the Constitution or the Electoral Code in its handling of the sponsorship dispute involving opposition MP Michel Sodjinou.
The ruling effectively confirms Les Démocrates’ disqualification from the race, citing insufficient sponsorships for its presidential duo, Renaud Agbodjo and Jude Lodjou.
With this decision, only two tickets remain in contention: Romuald Wadagni and Mariam Chabi Talata, representing the presidential camp, and Paul Hounkpè alongside Rock Judicaël Hounwanou, for the parliamentary opposition.
The verdict comes amid rising political tension. Last week, President Patrice Talon and his predecessor, former head of state Thomas Boni Yayi; who now leads Les Démocrates, met in a rare face-to-face dialogue aimed at easing tensions. No details were released from the meeting.
The April 2026 election is expected to proceed under the timeline set by CENA. However, the exclusion of the main opposition party has drawn criticism from civil society observers, who warn it could further erode confidence in Benin’s democratic process, once praised as one of the most vibrant in the region.
