Benin holds election set to test democracy
Published: 04:01 PM,Jan 08,2023 | EDITED : 08:01 PM,Jan 08,2023
Voters in Benin went to the polls on Sunday for a parliamentary election seen as a test of democracy as opposition parties are back on the ballot after boycotting or being excluded from the most recent presidential and legislative votes.
Benin’s image as a bastion of democracy and stability in West Africa has been dented under President Patrice Talon, who went back on a pledge not to run for another term and oversaw an opposition crackdown since coming to power in 2016.
Seven parties are competing for 109 parliamentary seats including the Democrates party linked to Talon’s rival Thomas Boni Yayi.
Benin’s image as a bastion of democracy and stability in West Africa has been dented under President Patrice Talon, who went back on a pledge not to run for another term and oversaw an opposition crackdown since coming to power in 2016.
Seven parties are competing for 109 parliamentary seats including the Democrates party linked to Talon’s rival Thomas Boni Yayi.