Burkina Faso's presidential election is due by 2026, and the exact day has not been announced in the sources we follow. This page sets out what the vote decides, who runs it, how the last one went and who holds office today.
What is being decided
- The head of state. Ibrahim Traoré has been head of state since 21 Oct 2022.
Note from the source: The transition authorities first promised elections in 2026. A new charter adopted in May 2025 extended the transition period. No official election date was set at retrieval.
Who runs the election
The vote is run by Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI); mandate suspended under the transition.
The last result
The last national election in our sources was held on 22 Nov 2020.
Who holds office now
| Office | Holder | In office since | How chosen | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head of state | Ibrahim Traoré | 21 Oct 2022 | - | - |
| Head of government | Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo | 9 Dec 2024 | - | - |
See the full Burkina Faso government directory and the Africa election calendar.
Other national elections coming up
| Country | Election | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Cabo Verde | Presidential election | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Gambia | Presidential election | 5 Dec 2026 |
| South Sudan | General election | 22 Dec 2026 |
| Nigeria | General election | 16 Jan 2027 |
| Gambia | Parliamentary election | 10 Apr 2027 |
| Kenya | General election | 10 Aug 2027 |
Polling and research around the vote
PollsAfrica designs and runs opinion polls and household surveys across Africa, with the sample, dates, mode and weighting published for every release. If you need research in Burkina Faso before or after this vote, see our research services or contact us.
Source: IFES ElectionGuide, 2026; CIA World Factbook, 2026; Presidency of Burkina Faso, 2026. Method: how we compile this.