Burkina Faso achieved important reforms regarding the constitution, the political parties system, the poll organization, etc.

The judiciary guarantees the fundamental freedoms and rights, settles the litigation by court rulings and orders over private disputes, other breaches of law and criminal offences. It is the responsibility of the courts and tribunals to secure the rule of law (Click here to view the organization of the judiciary).

The Constitution also provides for the following oversight organizations, advisory and independent agencies and other regulatory bodies dealing with economic, social, cultural and arbitration issues such as the“ Mediateur” a sort of ombudsman, the “Economic and Social Council” (C.E.S.)   etc.


 The Mediateur  a sort of ombudsman“ Mediateur” is an independent authority appointed for a five-year non-renewable term by the president over consultations with other authorities. His rulings are irrevocable. The Mediateur deals with convention involving private citizens, associations, on the one hand and the administration or other state agencies, on the other hand. He may order the agency at fault to settle the dispute amicably no matter if the case is referred to Court. He may also order the administration to review its decision, or make proposals for improvements in the operational way of the state agency at issue. Likewise, whenever the complaint stems from an unfair application of the law, the Médiateur may propose amendments to the contentious law.

The Economic and Social Council (C.E.S.)

As an advisory agency, the so called Economic and Social Council (CES) renders opinions on bills and executive orders that are submitted to its advisory consultancy. The Head of State can seek advice from the Institution on any social and economic issue. In addition, and on its own initiative, the C.E.S. provides assessment on the way social and economic schedules, plans and programs of action are carried out by the executive branch of the government (Click here to view other oversight organizations, advisory and independent agencies and regulatory bodies).

The Political Parties

Taking advantage of the reforms, over sixty parties were created in 1991. Some of them merged with others to become more efficient. The best known are the "Congrès pour la Democratie et le Progrès" (CDP), the "Parti Socialiste" (PDP/PS), the "Alliance pour la Démocratie et la Fédération/Rassemblement démocratique africain" (ADF/RDA), Union Nationale pour le développement et la Démocratie (UNDD) and the "Union Nationale pour la Révolution/Mouvement Sankariste"( UNIR/MS)etc.To allow a sound competition, some bills were passed, mainly to provide for the public funding of the poloitical parties, to provide for a status of the opposition and its leader etc…

CENI and the Polls organization
In order to improve transparency, a National Independent Commission for Elections (CENI) was created in 1992 to conduct the whole electoral process including the:

1. Compiling and updating of electoral data;
2. Issuance of electoral IDs;
3. Collection, validation and publication of the candidatures;
4. Putting together the mechanisms for transparency;
5. Implementation of the polls operations;
6. Proclamation of the provisional results.

Regarding the administrative reorganization, Burkina Faso is subdivided into 13 regions headed by governors (Gouverneurs), 45 provinces headed by High Commissioners( Hauts Commissaires) assisted by Permanent Secretaries (Secrétaires Généraux), 360 districts headed by Prefects( Préfets), 352 communes headed by Mayors(Maires) and 8228 villages. This reorganization is step result of a decentralization process which is designed to transfer powers and resources to local communities (click here to view the make up of the regions, provinces and departments)