Burkina Faso’s Traoré Dissolves Electoral Commission, Labels It a Waste of Money

Burkina Faso’s military junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has disbanded the country’s electoral commission, calling it a waste of money. state-run RTB TV revealed the interior ministry will handle elections in the future.

The military Junta, which came into power in September 2022, has prevented elections from being held in the country since then by constantly postponing elections, which would lead to a return to civilian rule.

Nationwide polls were due last year, but the junta extended the period of transition to democracy until July 2029, allowing leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré to remain in power and free to contest the next presidential election.

Issues With The Commission’s Financing

The country’s Territorial Administration Minister Emile Zerbo was recently quoted by the AFP as saying that the electoral commission was “subsidised” with around $870,000 (£650,000) a year.

Abolishing the commission would “reinforce our sovereign control on the electoral process and at the same time limit foreign influences”, he added.

Since coming to power three years ago amid criticism that the civilian authorities were failing to deal with a growing Islamist insurgency, Rights groups have constantly accused the army of targeting civilians in its attempt to quash the insurgents, as well as suppressing political activity and the freedom of expression.