fundamental reason. For all of them, their electoral commissions are ad hoc, that is, their members are selected and installed just for the period of one election. Generally, the commissioners are chosen a few weeks prior to each election and must leave their posts a few weeks after the final results of the process. In this category, the Autonomous National Electoral Commission(CENA) of Benin comes on top, being almost the oldest. In those cases a permanent secretariat(SP) of the electoral commission is expected to manage the transition period between two elections. The permanent secretariat has the tasks of an electoral commission with limited functions. In Niger 4 , for example, the SP is practically responsible for maintaining the electoral materials during the period between elections. It is acknowledged that the SP has the right to provide the update, management and conservation of the electoral register and the dissemination of information to those who request it(Article 15). With few exceptions, the situation is almost the same in Togo where the SP(known as the general secretariat of INEC) is authorized to retain the electoral register(not updated as in Niger). Benin, with its permanent administrative secretariat(SAP) of the CENA(National Autonomous Electoral Commission), is in the same situation(that is to say CENA is established on an ad hoc basis with a permanent secretariat) with some nuances, however. In the case of Benin, SAP is authorized to maintain and update voter lists, prepare the budget for future elections, disperse the election material, etc. Despite the different forms mentioned, these models still pose problems. 4 Electoral code: decree no. 99-37 of 4 November 1999. 109