The Court composed of: Imani D. ABOUD, President; Blaise TCHIKAYA, VicePresident, Ben KIOKO, Rafâa BEN ACHOUR, Suzanne MENGUE, Tujilane R. CHIZUMILA, Chafika BENSAOULA, Stella I. ANUKAM, Dumisa B. NTSEBEZA, Modibo SACKO, Dennis D. ADJEI - Judges, and Robert ENO, Registrar. In the Matter of: Houngue Éric NOUDEHOUENOU Represented by Mrs. Nadine DOSSOU SOKPONOU, Lawyer of the Benin Bar, Member of Société Civile Professionnelle d'Avocats (SCPA) Robert M. DOSSOU. Versus REPUBLIC OF BENIN Represented by Mr. Iréné ACOMBLESSI, Judicial Agent of the Treasury. After deliberation, renders this judgment I. THE PARTIES 1. Mr. Houngue Éric Noudehouenou, (hereinafter referred to as “the Applicant”) is a politician and a national of Benin. He challenges the law of 2 July 20181 amending and supplementing the organic law of 18 March 19992 pertaining to the High Judicial Council (hereinafter “HJC”) and its constitutionality. He also challenges the eligibility criteria for contesting elections in his country. 1 2 Law No. 2018-02 of 2 July 2018. Law No. 94-027 of 18 March 1999. 1