Benin Presidential Election Heads to Run-off

On Tuesday, 8 March, Benin’s national electoral commission indicated that the West African country’s Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou gained 28.4 percent of votes in the presidential election, which was held on Sunday.

The Prime Minister will face a run-off against prominent businessman Patrice Talon. Both Zinsou and Talon will now have to compete for the support of the candidates who came in third and below. The provisional results, released by the electoral commission, must be confirmed by the constitutional court and a challenge by one of the candidates appeared possible, not least because Sebastien Ajavon won 23.03 percent of the votes to finish just behind Talon. While a date for the run-off has not been announced, it may take place on 20 March.

Sunday’s election, which was contested by thirty-three candidates, is to choose a successor to President Thomas Boni Yayi, who is stepping down from power after two terms as mandated by the country’s constitution.