Benin Begins Vote Counting Following Municipal, Legislative Elections
A total of five political parties—including Les Democrates, led by former President Boni Yayi—contested parliamentary seats in the National Assembly during voting that occurred just one month after security forces thwarted a destabilizing coup attempt on December 7. Loyalist military units, reinforced by support from neighboring Nigeria, successfully repelled the insurrection.
Polling facilities shuttered at 5 p.m. local time (0400GMT), with the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Elections and Peace (COSCEP-Benin) confirming that voting procedures remained peaceful and orderly throughout the day. The observer group issued urgent appeals to Benin's electoral commission, demanding an independent tabulation process shielded from external interference while advocating for systematic result postings at every individual polling station to ensure transparency.
Approximately 8 million registered voters participated in selecting lawmakers for the 109-seat National Assembly alongside 77 municipal representatives, according to data from the national electoral body. Official results are anticipated within the coming days.
Political analysts widely predict President Patrice Talon's governing coalition—which currently commands 81 seats in the outgoing parliament—will successfully retain its legislative majority despite the competitive electoral landscape.
Electoral commission head Sacca Lafia previously assured stakeholders that comprehensive measures were implemented to guarantee free, transparent, and secure voting procedures.
These legislative elections precede the presidential contest scheduled for April. Talon, 67, is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive five-year term and has publicly endorsed Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as his chosen successor for the presidency.
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