NAIROBI, Kenya — Burkina Faso’s military rulers have taken yet another step away from democratic norms—this time by scrapping the country’s independent electoral commission, calling it a financial burden and a tool of foreign influence.
According to a report aired on state-run RTB TV, the junta has handed control of future elections to the Ministry of Territorial Administration.
Yes, the same government department that answers to the military leadership will now also manage the country’s voting process. Critics say that’s like letting the referee coach the game.
Interior Minister Emile Zerbo defended the move, stating that the now-defunct electoral commission was “subsidised” to the tune of $870,000 a year.
“A waste,” he implied, suggesting the funds could be better used elsewhere. But this wasn’t just about budget cuts.
Zerbo claimed the decision would “reinforce our sovereign control on the electoral process and at the same time limit foreign influences.”
Burkina Faso, once seen as a fragile but promising democracy in West Africa, has steadily drifted into authoritarian territory since Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a 2022 coup.
Elections originally planned for 2024 have already been pushed to July 2029, giving the captain-turned-president plenty of runway to entrench his leadership—and, conveniently, to run for office himself when the time finally comes.
The junta, which justified its takeover by accusing the previous civilian government of failing to contain a violent Islamist insurgency, has largely aligned itself with Russia, shunning France, its former colonial overseer.
Traoré’s administration has been on the spotlight for using AI created propaganda to create a cult praising the Junta leader. Deepfake videos of celebrities like R. Kelly, Pope Leo and Beyonce has been used to spread misinformation favoring the regime.
His claims it’s restoring sovereignty, human rights watchdogs paint a grimmer picture: reports of civilian targeting, crackdowns on political opposition, and media blackouts have been steadily rising.
So, what’s left of the democratic process? Not much. And what’s next? A nation that once saw elections as a path forward is now watching that road crumble under the weight of militarized control and information warfare.
