Benin’s electoral code has undergone a series of reforms in recent years. These reforms will lead the country to hold general elections (presidential, legislative and communal) for the first time in 2026. According to law 2019-40 of November 7, 2019 revising law 90-32 of December 11, 1990 on the Constitution, Benin will hold general elections in 2026: coupled legislative and communal elections on January 11, and the presidential election on April 12. This represents a major challenge for all stakeholders in the electoral process, who must work to ensure that the elections are peaceful and accepted by all. 

The International Association of Chaplains, which was founded on March 5, 2012, at the U.S. Secretary of State, by Lic. Carlos Molina, through its Africa representation, intends to make its contribution to the organization and above all the acceptance of the results of these elections through election observation. The International Association of Chaplains is founded on the love of God and the knowledge acquired by each of its chaplains. The association trains valuable men, women and young people to serve God, their families and society in general, providing them with all the knowledge they need in each field through courses, diplomas, seminars and training courses. 

L’association dispose désormais au niveau de sa section Afrique, une direction chargée des élections. Cette direction, dans le cadre de son programme de renforcement de capacité des officiers de l’association dans les domaines de consolidation de la paix, la prévention des conflits et le respect des droits humains dans les processus électoraux se propose d’organiser une formation à l’attention des Aumôniers de différents pays membres de l’association afin de renforcer leur capacité en observation électorale. 

Les Aumôniers qui auraient participé à cette formation auront à la démultiplier dans leurs pays respectifs ce qui permettra à la section Afrique de l’association de déployer plus de 150 observateurs pour les élections générales de 2026 au Bénin. L’Association a retenu que cette formation se fera suivant le format BRIDGE (acronyme anglais de Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and

Elections).

The aim of this activity is to build the capacity of chaplains to observe elections.  Specifically, the training aims to:

– Train participants on the importance of election observation;

– Train participants on election observation methods;

– Train participants on the observers’ Code of Conduct.