Benin to hold local government elections next year

Cotonou, Benin (PANA) – Benin will hold local government elections next year, President Boni Yayi said on Friday.

Presenting his state of the nation, he expressed the hope that the monitoring and supervising Council of the Permanent Computerized Electoral Roll (COS-LEPI) can complete its work so that the elections, which should have been held this year, would be held in good time in the New Year.

In this respect, President Boni said that the government had made available to the COS-LEPI 2.620 billion CFAF to correct and update the permanent computerized electoral roll for the country to have a reliable voters' register.

"Despite our differences and problems ... our young democracy is growing even if many challenges are noted in its performance," the president said.

The Beninese constitution compels the president to present the state of the nation every year before Parliament.
-0- PANA IT/IS/SOC/MSA/MA 27Dec2013