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Benin - Republican Institutions

 
Republican Institutions in Benin include: The President of the Republic, the Parliament, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Economic and Social Council, and the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication.

The President of the Republic : The President of the Republic is the Head of State. S/He is the whole Nation's Elect and Symbol of National Unity. S/He stands for for the Nation's independence, territorial integrity and biding to the Constitution, treaties and international agreements. S/He is elected for a 5 year term renewable but once. In March 2011, Beninese will be to the polls for the 5th presidential elections under the Democratic Renewal era in the country.

The Parliament : The Parliament consists of a single assembly i.e. The National Assembly composed of 83 Members of Parliament. The National Assembly is endowed with the lawmaking authority and oversees Government's actions. The Members of The National Assembly are elected for a 4-year term, reneweable in illimited number. Next legislative elections are expected to take place in March 2011. 

 The Constitutional Court (La Cour Constitutionnelle): The Constitutional Court is the topmost Court of the State regards constitutional matters. It considers the constitutionality of laws and guarantees fundamental human rights and civil liberties. It is composed of seven (07) members, including four (04) designated by the National Assembly  and three (03) by the President of the Republic, for a  4 year term.

The Supreme Court (La Cour Suprême): The Supreme Court is the highest State Court as regard administrative and  judicial matters and State Accounts. It also has jurisdiction in  local elections disputes. The decisions by the Supreme Court are not subject to any appeal. It is composed of: 

  • The Prosecution: 4 Prosecution Attorneys and 1 Prosecutor
  •  The Chambers: Administrative Chamber (5 Counselors); Judiciary Chamber (3 Counselors); Chamber of Auditors (3 Counselors).

The Economic and Social Council (Le Conseil Economique et Social): The Economic and Social Council forms advisory opinions on laws, orders or decrees, as well as bills that are submitted for its consideartion.
Bills in linkage with economic and social programs are mandatorily brought before the Council review. It is consistent of 30 members including: 

  • 3 appointed by the President of the Republic;
  • 2 by the Board of the National Assembly;
  • 25 by civil society organizations.

The High Authority  for Audiovisual and Communication (La Haute Autorité de l'Audivisuel et de la Communication/HAAC): The High Authority  for Audiovisual and Communication's mission is to guarantee and ensure protection and freedom for the press and all means of mass communication in accordance with the law.
It enforces ethics in information and equal access of political parties, associations and citizens to official means of information and communication. It is composed of nine (9) members appointed as per the following share:

  • 3 by the President of the Republic ;
  • 3 by the Board of the National Assembly;
  • 3 by professional journalists and technicians in Audiovisual, Communications and Telecommunications.

The High Court of Justice (La Haute Cour de Justice) : The High Court of Justice is competent to try the President of the Republic and members of the Government for acts characterized as treason felony, offenses committed in the course of or in connection with their duties, and to judge their accomplices in the case of conspiracy against security of the Nation. The High Court of Justice comprizes 13 members appointed as follow:  

  • 6 by the Constitutional Court
  • 6 by the National Assembly
  • 1 by the Supreme Court (.ie. The President of the Supreme Court)