On 19 January 2026, the Central African Republic’s National Electoral Authority announced the official results of the presidential election held on 28 December 2025, conducted alongside legislative, regional, and municipal elections nationwide. For the first time since 1988, municipal elections were held across the country. This marked an important step forward, extending democratic participation beyond the national and local levels.
Across the Central African Republic, 34 UN Volunteers worked side by side with national counterparts to support elections in all 20 prefectures, including remote areas facing significant logistical challenges. The volunteers supported logistics, ran civic education efforts, and supported electoral operations, making sure ballots arrived, voters were informed, and polling could take place on time. Their contribution helped make a historic milestone possible: peaceful elections held nationwide.
Supporting Elections in Challenging Contexts
Running elections in complex environments requires technical expertise and people who are willing to stay the course. Within the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, MINUSCA’s Electoral Division, UN Volunteers form a large part of the teams working on election preparations across the Central African Republic. Many have supported elections in other African countries and bring local knowledge and language skills that help them connect with communities. Their work shows how hands‑on experience and a strong understanding of the local context can support national efforts to run credible elections, even in challenging settings.
Making Elections Happen
The 2025 elections represented a significant shift toward national ownership, as the Government of the Central African Republic for the first time contributed financially to the organization of the electoral process, working alongside international partners. Across the country, UN Volunteers supported voter awareness campaigns reaching more than one million people and helped coordinate the delivery of electoral materials to prefectures and remote localities.
Investing in Talent on the Ground
Lessons from the Central African Republic show that UN Volunteers can play an important role in strengthening the institution. Through their experience in the field, they learn quickly what works in practice and support both day‑to‑day technical tasks and coordination efforts throughout the entire electoral process.
Ahead of the 2025 elections, seven UN Volunteers transitioned into professional positions within MINUSCA, including five women. Their progression reflects how experience gained on the ground can help build a cadre of professionals equipped to operate in complex environments.
Making the Vote Possible
Elections are often talked about in formal terms, but their success depends on practical work far from capitals and meeting rooms. It means going into communities, supporting voter registration teams, and helping first‑time voters understand how to take part. In December 2025, UN Volunteers worked across the Central African Republic to support these efforts directly on the ground. This work rarely makes headlines, but it is essential. It helps people trust the process—and the institutions behind it.
This opinion piece was written jointly by MINUSCA and UNV.