Provisional results from the recent parliamentary elections in Benin indicate that opposition parties have lost all seats in the National Assembly. This outcome follows a thwarted coup attempt against President Patrice Talon just weeks prior to the election. The electoral commission announced the results, reflecting a significant shift in the political landscape of the country.
The legislative elections were held in the wake of a brief military takeover that aimed to oust Talon. The coup lasted only a few hours before being successfully quelled by government forces. This incident is part of a broader trend of political instability in Africa, marked by disputed elections and rising youth discontent.
In total, five parties participated in the election, but only the Republican Bloc and the Progressive Union for Renewal, both of which support the president, secured seats. The Republican Bloc will have 49 lawmakers in the assembly, while the Progressive Union for Renewal will have 60 seats.
Under the new electoral code, a party must achieve at least 20% of the national vote and 20% in each of the 24 electoral districts to qualify for seat allocation. The main opposition party, The Democrats, garnered around 16% of the vote, falling short of the necessary threshold and consequently not winning any representation.
Guy Mitokpe, spokesperson for The Democrats, criticized the electoral process. He stated, “These results confirm the struggle that The Democrats party has been waging for about two years. We denounced this electoral code, saying that it heavily favored parties aligned with the president. It’s an exclusionary electoral code. As proof, we won’t have a candidate in the presidential election, and we were excluded from the municipal elections.”
The voter turnout for the election was reported at 36.73%. The results are pending confirmation by the Constitutional Court, which will officially validate the outcomes.
Historically, Benin has experienced a series of coups since gaining independence from France in 1960. However, the country has enjoyed relative stability over the past two decades. A presidential election is scheduled for April 2024, with Talon, aged 67, barred from seeking re-election after a decade in office. His close ally, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is viewed as a leading candidate to succeed him, particularly as the main opposition figure has been disqualified from the race due to insufficient endorsements.
During Talon’s administration, Benin has seen notable economic growth, but he faces criticism for suppressing political dissent and infringing on human rights. The recent election results underline the ongoing challenges for democratic governance in the nation.
