Benin Presidential Poll: ECOWAS Mission Head Akufo-Addo Urges ECOWAS Observers to be Impartial, Professional

Ahead of Sunday’s presidential election in Benin, ECOWAS mission head Nana Akufo-Addo urged over 100 regional observers to remain professional and unbiased.

The former Ghanaian President reminded the deployed team that their conduct is central to the mission’s success.

“As observers, our role is clear. We are here to observe and report on the conduct of the electoral process in accordance with international standards and best practices,” he said, during the briefing of the observers in Cotonou on Friday, 10th April, before their deployment.

“The success of this (task) can only be achieved when you and I agree to observe and respect the rules and methodology governing the conduct of the election, a briefing on which will be led by the ECOWAS Technical Team.

“I therefore implore all of you… to be guided by the fundamental principles of objectivity and impartiality in your assessment, observation, and reporting on the election process,” the Head of Mission said.

Expressing gratitude to ECOWAS President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, he emphasized that monitoring is essential for improving election quality.

“Observers help build public confidence in the integrity of electoral processes,” he stated, highlighting the mission’s role in ensuring a transparent vote.

Continuing, the Head of Mission said: “Observation can help promote and protect voters’ civil and political rights in elections. It can lead to the correction of errors or weak practices, even while an election process is still underway.

” It can deter manipulation and fraud or expose such problems if they do occur.”

“Above all,” he said, “our presence demonstrates our adherence to and preference for elections as the most appropriate means of choosing our leaders, however imperfect they may be. The alternatives are far worse.”

Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Commissioner leading the Technical Support Team, introduced the observers to the Head of Mission with a sobering briefing on the current regional climate.

He pointed out that Benin’s election is taking place against a backdrop of global geopolitical tension and rising insecurity, specifically citing the local threat of terrorism.