In preparation for the presidential election of April 10, 2026, the National Communication Commission (CNC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) have strengthened their collaboration to ensure the transparency and fairness of the vote. During their meeting on March 12 at CNC headquarters, they established a media coverage coordination mechanism to guarantee impartial treatment of candidates and reliable information for the public.
As the presidential election scheduled for April 10, 2026, approaches, Djibouti is preparing for a vote presented as a pivotal moment in its democratic life. In a sensitive political context, the principles of pluralism, freedom of expression, and the exchange of ideas are being emphasized. On Thursday, March 12, the National Communication Commission (CNC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) held a strategic meeting at the CNC headquarters to strengthen their coordination and ensure a transparent and peaceful electoral process.
“The CENI does not govern the election. It is neither a court nor a political actor. It carries out a more austere and fundamental mission: ensuring the regularity of the electoral process. This mission rests on a few simple principles. First and foremost, impartiality: no favoritism, no pressure, no external considerations should alter our perspective on the electoral operations.”
Bahnan Ali Meidal, President of the Independent National Electoral Commission – Djibouti
Operational since January 2017, the National Electoral Commission (CNC) plays a central role in strengthening public debate. During the electoral period, it ensures fair and balanced access to national media for legally recognized political parties. The goal is to allow voters to compare platforms and candidates while respecting freedom of expression, public order, and social cohesion, and guaranteeing pluralistic and accessible information.
“It is often said that electoral work is arduous. This is sometimes true, but when it is done well, it possesses a unique virtue. No one talks about the commission, and everyone talks about the transparency of the election. It is perhaps one of the few public functions where gracefully disappearing at the end of the process is the finest proof of success.”
Bahnan Ali Meidal, President of the National Independent Electoral Commission – Djibouti
The April 10 election will be the ninth presidential election since the 1992 Constitution. The president is elected by a two-round majority system, requiring an absolute majority of votes cast. In power since 1999, President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, 77, is seeking a sixth term in this country of approximately 1.2 million inhabitants.
