Burkina Faso’s rulers have disbanded the country’s electoral commission, calling it a waste of money.
The announcement, made on state-run RTB TV, stated that the interior ministry will now oversee all future elections.
Since seizing power in September 2022, the coup leaders have introduced sweeping reforms. A nationwide vote was scheduled for last year but it was extended until July 2029, allowing Captian Ibrahim Traoré to stay in power and contest the next presidential election.
Territorial Administration Minister, Emile Zerbo said the electoral commission had been receiving approximately $870,000 (£650,000) annually.
He claimed that abolishing the body would “reinforce our sovereign control on the electoral process and at the same time limit foreign influences.”
The military took over amid concerns that the previous civilian administration was failing to contain a growing Islamist insurgency.
Since then, the junta has cut ties with France and leaned on Russian support instead.