The fight for Benin’s democratic future
April 12, 2021 Demonstrators blocked this road in the town of Toui on Wednesday
Voters in Benin are taking part in elections after protests over President Patrice Talon’s broken promise to serve only one term in office left two people dead.
There are just two other candidates on the ballot, in a country dubbed the birthplace of African multiparty democracy.
Alassane Soumanou of the opposition FCBE party is a former minister, while Corentin Kohoué is seen as more of a wildcard.
Several key opposition figures – including an ex-prime minister and a former mayor of the biggest city Cotonou – have either been arrested and ruled ineligible or are now in exile.
Ballot Counting Underway After Tense Election In Benin Republic
channelstv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from channelstv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Benin s Patrice Talon favoured for re-election after vote
theeastafrican.co.ke - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theeastafrican.co.ke Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BBC News
Published
image copyrightGetty Images
image captionElection officers put ink on voters fingers to make sure they don t vote twice
Early indications show voter turnout was low in Benin s presidential election, where polling stations have now closed.
In the run-up to the election, protests over President Patrice Talon s broken promise to serve only one term in office left two people dead.
After voting himself, President Talon called on his fellow citizens to come out and vote.
But opposition campaigners had called for a boycott and streets were quiet on Sunday, especially in anti-government strongholds.
The head of the electoral commission said most polling stations had opened on time despite opposition supporters blocking roads to northern and central Benin.