Burkina Faso’s military government has dissolved the country’s independent electoral commission, transferring election oversight to the Ministry of Interior.
The move was announced on state-run RTB television and is part of a series of sweeping political reforms introduced since the military seized power in September 2022.
Authorities claim the commission, which reportedly cost around $870,000 (₤650,000) annually, was an unnecessary expense.
According to Minister of Territorial Administration, Emile Zerbo, the decision will “strengthen national sovereignty over the electoral process and reduce foreign influence.”
The ruling junta had already postponed democratic elections originally scheduled for last year, extending the transition period to July 2029.
This extension allows the current military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, to remain in office and possibly contest the next presidential election.
Since taking power, Traoré’s administration has distanced itself from France, the former colonial power, and aligned more closely with Russia.
Human rights groups have raised concerns over alleged army abuses, crackdowns on political opposition, and curbs on press freedom.
Despite ongoing military efforts, Islamist insurgent activity in the country continues to rise. In the first half of 2025, al-Qaeda-linked militants from JNIM reportedly carried out over 280 attacks—double the number recorded during the same period in 2024, according to BBC-verified data.
Critics say the decision to dissolve the electoral commission further undermines democratic progress, casting doubt on the junta’s stated commitment to returning the country to civilian rule.
