Opposition in Benin disputes the parliamentary voting results

Benin’s biggest opposition rejected the results of this week’s parliamentary election on Thursday, alleging that vote buying and fraud allowed President Patrice Talon’s allies to gain the majority of seats in the house.

Sunday’s election was a crucial test for Benin, where President Talon has advocated a program of economic and political progress, but detractors contend that his mandate has undermined the country’s once-thriving multiparty democracy.

According to preliminary results released on Wednesday, the pro-Talon Republican Bloc and Progressive Union for Renewal parties won a combined 81 seats in the 109-seat parliament, while the opposition Democrats won 28 seats.

Eric Houndete, the head of the Democrats, condemned “flagrant” ballot-box stuffing, vote-rigging, and vote-buying by the two pro-government parties at an early Thursday press conference, without offering immediate evidence.

“The Democratic party rejects this result, which does not reflect the will of the people to make the Democratic party the leading political force in our country,” Houndete stated.

“The count attributed to the Siamese parties (the two pro-Talon parties) could only have been attained by means of democratic game-rigging schemes.”

The election marked the opposition’s return to parliament in the West African nation after a four-year absence and for the first time since 2016 when Talon ascended to power.

Additionally, lawyers in Tunisia protest a tax increase on legal services.

The National Electoral Commission is anticipated to disclose final results on Friday (CENA).

CENA and the two pro-Talon parties did not provide an instant response.

In 2019, tougher election regulations virtually banned opposition parties from participating in legislative elections, leading in a parliament dominated by Talon loyalists.

Sunday’s election was plagued by violent violence in an opposition stronghold, a historically low voter participation, and a shutdown of the internet, all of which are exceptional in Benin.

Following the cotton magnate’s ascension to power, the majority of his most prominent opponents have been imprisoned or have fled abroad.

Mexico hosts Biden and Trudeau for a ‘Three Amigos’ summit.

In preparation for the 2026 presidential elections, when candidates will need the backing of legislators to be registered, Democrats sought to gain seats.

Parliament also influences the composition of the Constitutional Court, which reviews election dispute judgements.

Its term expires this year, and the legislature will pick four new judges while the president selects three.

In addition, the Democrats stated that they will submit an amnesty measure in parliament to liberate imprisoned comrades and permit the return of political exiles.

Reckya Madougou was sentenced to 20 years in prison for terrorism in December 2021, while Joel Aivo, another opposition leader and academic, was jailed for 10 years for alleged conspiracy against the state’s authority.

Additionally, Australia asks PNG to expedite a security agreement.

Both were sentenced by the CRIET, a special court dealing with terrorism and economic offenses. Since 2016, when Talon’s government formed the court, critics claim it has been used to repress his opponents.

The legislative vote on Sunday occurred as Benin and other Gulf of Guinea coastal nations, Ghana, Togo, and Ivory Coast, confront a growing threat from extremist violence pouring over their northern borders with the Sahel.