00:00Benin's National Assembly has temporarily eliminated the Autonomous National Electoral Commission, or SENA, responsible for organising the country's elections.
00:10The decision has been presented as a budget-saving measure.
00:14Recent reforms established seven-year mandates for the country's president, deputies and municipal councillors, obviating the need for elections in
00:24the near future.
00:25Authorities have announced a transitional period before a new body is established.
00:31They say they'll define a new institutional framework adapted to the recent reforms.
00:38SENA's remit includes supervising electoral operations, ensuring that elections are conducted properly and helping to ensure the credibility of results.
00:48But in recent years, questions have been raised about its effectiveness.
00:52For now, the Council of Ministers will set out how to void SENA's current commitments and how its assets will
00:59be preserved.
