Burkina Faso Dissolves Electoral Commission, Describes It as a Waste of Money
Burkina Faso’s military government has scrapped the Independent National Electoral Commission
- Burkina Faso scraps electoral commission, citing waste and foreign meddling
- Election duties handed to the Ministry of Territorial Administration
- Junta deepens ties with Russia while cutting off Western influence
Burkina Faso’s Transitional Parliament has officially dissolved the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), branding it a “waste of money” and an instrument of foreign influence.
Under the new directive, the Ministry of Territorial Administration will now oversee all future elections — a move that consolidates electoral power directly under the military-led government of Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
President Traoré has argued that the now-defunct commission had become a channel for external interference in Burkina Faso’s democratic processes. The decision follows a bill adopted in July, aligning with the junta’s ongoing efforts to limit Western influence and assert national sovereignty.
Since seizing power in September 2022, the military promised a transition to civilian rule within 21 months. However, that timeline was extended by five years in 2024, with Traoré now cleared to contest future elections.
The regime has since pivoted away from France and other Western partners, strengthening ties with Russia in both security and economic cooperation.
