Burkina Faso’s military-led government has dismantled the country’s electoral commission and handed its responsibilities over to the interior ministry, justifying the decision by citing high operational costs and the desire to reduce foreign influence. The ruling junta described the commission as a financial burden, with the interior minister reporting it received around $870,000 in annual subsidies.

The announcement, broadcast on state-owned RTB TV, marks another significant change under the current military regime, which took power in September 2022. Since the takeover, the junta has delayed elections that were meant to restore civilian rule, pushing the transition timeline to July 2029. This extension allows the current head of state, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, to remain in power and potentially contest the next presidential race.

The government claims that the move to dissolve the electoral body will strengthen national control over the voting process and reduce external interference. The shift is also seen as part of the broader effort to assert sovereignty, especially as Burkina Faso moves away from France—its former colonial ruler—and builds stronger relations with Russia.

Despite pledges to improve national security, rights groups have accused the military of committing abuses against civilians, suppressing political freedoms, and stifling dissent. Meanwhile, the Islamist insurgency persists, with jihadist group JNIM reportedly responsible for over 280 attacks in the first half of 2025—twice the number recorded during the same period in 2024, according to BBC-verified figures.