Benin Republic extends presidential term to 7 years barely five months to general elections

Lawmakers in Benin has approved a constitutional amendment extending the presidential term of office from five years to seven and creating an upper house of parliament.

In an overwhelming 90-19 vote, the new amendment sets the presidential term at seven years, renewable only once, according to a statement issued Saturday by the national assembly.

“From now on, and in accordance with amended Article 42, the President of the Republic is elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of 07 years renewable only once,” the statement reads.

No one can, in his lifetime, exercise more than two terms as President of the Republic.”

The seven-year term extension was also granted to mayors and municipal councillors.

The amendments come ahead of the 2026 presidential elections in the French-speaking West African nation.

Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in Benin on 12 April 2026, following parliamentary elections on 11 January in accordance with the election code.

President Patrice Talon, who has been in office since 2016, is currently serving his second term.

Talon has publicly stated that he will not seek a third term.

His candidate, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is the clear favourite to win the April presidential election.

In October 2025, the constitutional court ruled to exclude the principal opposition party, Les Démocrates, from participating in the upcoming 2026 presidential election.

The decision follows the earlier rejection of the party’s candidacy by the electoral commission for failing to meet requirements such as sufficient sponsorship and payment of the registration fee.

With Les Démocrates disqualified, the field for the next presidential vote has shifted significantly. Observers note that the ruling deepens concerns about fairness and political openness in a country once regarded as a model of democracy in the region.