Polling stations in Benin closed on Sunday, marking the end of the electoral process where Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni is forecasted to secure a win, having been endorsed by outgoing President Patrice Talon. Approximately eight million eligible voters participated in selecting the successor to Talon, who is stepping down after serving two consecutive five-year terms.
In Cotonou, the largest city, vote counting commenced late in the afternoon following the polls’closure. The election’s outcome is expected to be revealed by Tuesday. Wadagni’s campaign, while less vibrant, faced challenges from voter apathy but was bolstered by a strong backing from his supporters.
Talon, unable to run for a third term under the constitution, addressed his cheering supporters in the Zongo district, expressing optimism about Benin’s future and his intention to retire from politics, though he acknowledged that his influence would continue.
His opponent, Paul Hounkpe, an opposition figure, received support from majority lawmakers to qualify for the ballot. Hounkpe, who served as mayor of Bopa, urged all Beninese to fulfill their civic duty to advance the nation’s history. Under Talon’s tenure, Benin saw economic growth with GDP doubling and significant infrastructure development. However, the wealth gap remained an issue, and the incoming president will inherit the challenge of dealing with security concerns, particularly in the northern regions, where violence from the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has escalated.
Source: aljazeera
Original author: AFP and Reuters
