According to preliminary results announced on Tuesday, April 13, Beninese president Patrice Talon was re-elected in the first round of presidential elections with 86% of the vote. Several observation missions, national and international (ECOWAS, AU, OIF, CEN-SAD) had been deployed to monitor the election process.
With our special correspondent in Cotonou, Magali Lagrange
International assignments note that vote in Benin held in a calm and orderly manner over most of the territory, despite tensions in some localities. Offices could not open in 13 of the country’s 546 districts, according to the election commission.
International and domestic observers of the civic platform of civil society organizations note tensions ahead of the election. They call on all political actors to engage in dialogue on their differences over the electoral reforms introduced. If the observation assignments mention a contribution relatively weak, however, ECOWAS notes “a slight improvement during the day” in the offices visited. Civil society estimated it at about 26% on Monday. La Céna, which announced a percentage of 50%, does not claim to know on what basis this figure was calculated.
Civil society also mentions cases of fraud, threats against observers and election rallies. With regard to videos circulating on social networks, the government considers this to be an attempt to discredit the electoral process. Finally, La Francophonie recommends evaluating the electoral register that expired this year.
► To read also: President of Benin: Cena announces re-election of Patrice Talon
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