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Benin Republic’s electoral umpire, the Autonomous National Electoral Commission of Benin (CENA), has revealed that there were some attempted disruptions in some locations in the northern region of the West African country during the just-concluded presidential election.
The agency, however, noted that the disruptions were foiled by the country’s security agencies, and Beninese citizens could cast their votes without a security crisis.
CENA disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, after the April 12, 2026, election, announcing the outcome.
“Considering that despite some attempts at disruptions reported in certain localities in the northern part of the country, the responsiveness and professionalism of the defence and security forces made it possible to secure the voting process, thereby guaranteeing every citizen the free exercise of their constitutional right,” the statement read in part.
News Central’s Kathleen Ndongmo, reporting from Benin, said that no electoral observer has formally contradicted CENA’s assessment, adding that this reflects confidence in the electoral umpire.
“For them, that transparency is itself a signal of institutional confidence. No observer body has formally contradicted that assessment from CENA, though the African Union mission is still due to give its own briefing today at noon, as well as a briefing from other ECOWAS electoral observers,” said Ndongmo.
“Procedurally, SENA has transmitted this decision, as well as supporting documents, to the constitutional court, which is now the sovereign judge of these results, and they will announce the official final results.”
Benin’s Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni won the election with a landslide victory, more than 94% of the vote. His opposition, Paul Hounkpe, congratulated him before the results were announced.
According to Ndongmo, reporting from Benin, the possibility of Hounkpe challenging the election result remains uncertain.
“Now, any formal challenge must have been submitted within the legally prescribed window. The way it’s going, given that Hounkpe extended his congratulations before the announcement of the provisional results, and has not signalled any intention to contest, a legal challenge appears unlikely at this time, but the constitutional court process must still run its course regardless,” Ndongmo added.
Benin’s presidential election results are in.
With 58.75% turnout and a decisive win for Romuald Wadagni, who secured 4,252,347 of 4,640,354 votes, the nation has shown renewed faith in democracy and peaceful transitions. @KathleenNdongmo reports. pic.twitter.com/jDwCmykxy8
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) April 14, 2026
