CENA: How the electoral arbiter lives on funds from the Presidency of the Republic

The budget of the Presidency of the Republic of Senegal increased by 160% in 2026, reaching 204.5 billion CFA francs, due to the inclusion of the National Autonomous Electoral Commission (CENA). This situation raises questions about the independence and transparency of the CENA, whose members are appointed by the head of state. Babacar Ba, president of the Forum of the Justiciable, emphasizes that this perceived dependence could undermine the regularity of elections as the country approaches upcoming electoral deadlines.