PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Benin: Benin's 6th presidential election holds Sunday
Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - With about 5 million voters ready, 7,000 polling stations in place and 33 candidates rearing to go, voting commenced in Benin Republic on Sunday to elect a successor to outgoing leader Thomas Boni Yayi.
Initially slated for 28 February, the polls were postponed following delays in the distribution of voter cards.
The polls began despite reports that the distribution of the voter cards had not started in two of the country’s departments and that the electoral commission was not able to complete the process in several other departments.
Among the favourites likely to succeed Yayi is the country’s prime minister Lionel Zinsou, Abdoulaye Bio Tchane, a former head of the West African Development Bank and executive of the International Monetary Fund, and two prominent businessmen Sebastien Ajavon and Patrice Talon.
Also in the race is the sole female candidate, Marie Elise Gbedo. The 62-year-old lawyer was all over the place during the electioneering campaign trying to woo voters to support her bid.
This is her fourth attempt to contest for the country’s top seat. In 2001, she manged to get 1 percent of the votes but she is now hoping that her election manifesto to eradicate youths unemployment and corruption will steer her ambitions among voters.
This is Benin's sixth presidential election and early results are expected in the coming days after the ballot.
A run-off will be held if none of the candidates wins on straight majority.
-0- PANA VAO 6March2016
Initially slated for 28 February, the polls were postponed following delays in the distribution of voter cards.
The polls began despite reports that the distribution of the voter cards had not started in two of the country’s departments and that the electoral commission was not able to complete the process in several other departments.
Among the favourites likely to succeed Yayi is the country’s prime minister Lionel Zinsou, Abdoulaye Bio Tchane, a former head of the West African Development Bank and executive of the International Monetary Fund, and two prominent businessmen Sebastien Ajavon and Patrice Talon.
Also in the race is the sole female candidate, Marie Elise Gbedo. The 62-year-old lawyer was all over the place during the electioneering campaign trying to woo voters to support her bid.
This is her fourth attempt to contest for the country’s top seat. In 2001, she manged to get 1 percent of the votes but she is now hoping that her election manifesto to eradicate youths unemployment and corruption will steer her ambitions among voters.
This is Benin's sixth presidential election and early results are expected in the coming days after the ballot.
A run-off will be held if none of the candidates wins on straight majority.
-0- PANA VAO 6March2016
