Overview

• The government passed a law on July 17 abolishing the Independent National Electoral Commission, which was responsible for organizing elections
• The Interior Ministry will assume responsibility for overseeing and conducting all future polls
• Officials argue the abolition reinforces sovereign control over elections and limits foreign influence
• This action follows a 2024 charter that extended Capt. Ibrahim Traoré’s transitional authority until July 2029
• The move reflects a wider regional shift in West Africa, where military rulers cite stability and cost concerns to delay democratic transitions