Legislative in Benin: the opposition back on the ballots

Cotonou, April 28, 2019, during the last legislative elections.

© YANICK FOLLY/AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

More than 6.5 million voters are called to ballot this Sunday, January 8 for legislative elections.

The offices are open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time.

Seven parties are vying for the 109 seats in the National Assembly, in the country's 24 electoral constituencies.

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With our special correspondent in Cotonou,

The people of Benin want to quickly turn the page of the legislature which is ending because all the deputies in office come from the camp of power.

In 2019, only two formations of the presidential movement were able to take part in the ballot, the outgoing Parliament was therefore one-colored.

These elections had led to clashes in several cities and a low turnout, in a country previously cited as a model of democracy.

Blame it on President Patrice Talon, accused by his opponents of having weakened Beninese democracy. 

This time, voters have the choice between parties of the presidential movement and the opposition.

Seven logos appear on the ballot papers: four from parties of the presidential movement and three claiming to be from the opposition.

Something new, in each of the constituencies, at least one woman will be elected since a seat (at least) is now reserved for them.

Will that be enough to bring voters back to the polls?

In any case, they are delighted with this inclusive election, and are interested in the campaign.

During the fifteen days of campaigning, the contending parties organized meetings, caravans, and participated in debates, to try to convince them.

Elected candidates will sit for only three years.

A transition mandate, before the general elections of 2026. These legislative elections therefore have test value.

The parties of the presidential movement will measure their real strength for the first time.

Whatever the outcome of the ballot, there will be no cohabitation, because the president is the head of government.

The opposition targets elected officials in order to benefit from the financing of political parties.

Civil society organizations deployed 714 observers in the field.

ECOWAS for its part sent a mission of 40 observers.

The embassies of the United States and Canada were allowed to observe the voting process.

The Electoral Commission (Cena) which has managed the electoral process well so far is expected on the transparency of the vote.

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