The Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) of Burkina Faso, meeting in plenary session on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in Ouagadougou, has unanimously adopted the draft law to dissolve the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). The vote saw the participation of 70 members, all voting in favor.
The session, presided over by Dr. Ousmane Bougouma, marks another major step in the country’s Popular Progressive Revolution (RPP) led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Faso.
Under this revolutionary framework, the government has sought to restructure and streamline public institutions, with a focus on reducing state expenditure and rebuilding state governance in service of the popular masses.
This institutional reform drive has already led to the dissolution of the Economic and Social Council (CES) and the Office of the Ombudsman of Faso. The CENI now joins the list of dissolved institutions.
Reasons for Dissolution
According to the explanatory memorandum presented by the government, the CENI had lost its credibility, become financially burdensome, and was deemed incompatible with the current sociopolitical and institutional context of Burkina Faso.
The draft law, composed of five articles, outlines the legal and administrative framework for the transfer of CENI’s powers and responsibilities.
- Article 1 declares the official dissolution of the CENI.
- Article 2 transfers all electoral management duties to the Ministry of Territorial Administration.
- Article 3 stipulates that all CENI assets, archives, and documents shall be handed over to the ministry.
- Articles 4 and 5 cover the repeal of previous provisions and define the executive procedures for enforcement.
A Move Toward Institutional Coherence
The government states that the decision aligns with the Transitional Charter of October 14, 2022, and its amendment of May 25, 2024. It seeks to create institutional coherence within the revolutionary framework and ensure that governance structures reflect the aspirations of the Burkinabè people.
By dissolving the CENI, the administration also aims to reduce operational costs and rationalize public institutions for greater efficiency and accountability.
Ministry of Territorial Administration Takes Over
The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility, led by Minister Emile Zerbo, will now assume full responsibility for all tasks previously managed by the CENI, including the organization, supervision, and management of elections.
Representing the government before the Assembly, Minister Zerbo reaffirmed that this reform is part of a broader vision to refound the state and restore public confidence in national institutions.
The dissolution of the CENI marks a historic shift in Burkina Faso’s political and administrative landscape, symbolizing the government’s intent to redefine governance structures under the ideals of the ongoing Popular Progressive Revolution.