By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Military junta in Burkina Faso has announced the disbandment of the country’s electoral commission, calling it a waste of money.
According to state-run RTB TV, the interior ministry will now be in charge of handling future elections.
The military government has since September 2022 when it took power initiated a number of reforms, one of which is the shifting of election which would have restored civilian rule.
A national election was due last year, but the junta extended the transition period to democracy until July 2029. This allows the transition leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traoré to remain in power and free to contest the next presidential election.
The AFP news agency quotes Territorial Administration Minister Emile Zerbo as saying that the electoral commission was “subsidised” with around $870,000 (£650,000) a year.
Abolishing the commission would “reinforce our sovereign control on the electoral process and at the same time limit foreign influences”, he added.
After coming to power three years ago amid criticism that the civilian authorities were failing to deal with a growing Islamist insurgency, the military leaders have rejected the assistance of former colonial power France, instead seeking security and economic partnership with Russia.
Rights groups have accused the army of targeting civilians in its attempt to quash the militants, as well as suppressing political activity and the freedom of expression.
The junta-led government has however attracted commendation for efforts to improve standard of living through construction of industries and rehabilitation of new ones.
