In Benin, the Supreme Court has rejected the appeal filed by the main opposition Democrats party to participate in the 2026 municipal elections. The ruling confirmed the decision of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA), effectively excluding the party from the upcoming polls.

The Democrats party had challenged CENA’s decision of November 10, 2025, which deemed its list of candidates inadmissible due to incomplete documentation. The Supreme Court ruling leaves no room for further legal recourse.

With the Democrats party out of the race, only three political parties are authorized to contest the elections: the Republican Bloc, the Progressive Union of Renewal, and the FCBE. Observers say this narrows the political competition ahead of the local elections.

The decision has sparked reactions from political analysts and civil society groups, highlighting ongoing debates about electoral fairness and transparency in Benin’s political process.