[ad_1]
Issued on: Modified:
Benin’s pro-government events gained a majority of seats in parliament, the nation’s constitutional court docket mentioned Thursday, in a vote marking the return of the opposition after 4 years of absence.
Sunday’s vote, which went forward peacefully, was a check for the West African state the place President Patrice Talon has promoted improvement however critics say democracy has steadily eroded beneath his watch.
It was the primary time the opposition was taking part in elections since cotton-magnate Talon got here to energy in 2016.
Events supporting Talon, the Republican Bloc and the Progressive Union for Renewal events collectively gained 81 out of 109 seats in parliament, mentioned Razaki Amouda Issifou, president of the constitutional court docket.
The opposition Democrats get together gained 28 seats, he mentioned, including that voter turnout was 37.79 p.c.
Seven political events—together with three allied to the opposition—had been allowed to take part within the election.
Solely events that win greater than 10 p.c of the vote are eligible to get parliamentary seats, based on a proportional system.
Earlier on Thursday, Democrats get together chief Eric Houndete had denounced “flagrant” ballot box stuffing, rigging and vote shopping for by the 2 pro-government events, with out offering quick proof.
“The Democrats get together rejects this consequence, which doesn’t mirror the desire of the folks to make our get together the primary political drive in our nation,” Houndete mentioned.
Outcomes might be contested for a interval of 10 days following the official proclamation of outcomes.
Jailed opponents
In 2019, opposition events had been successfully barred from taking part in a legislative poll as a result of stricter election guidelines, leading to a parliament dominated by authorities supporters.
That vote was marred by lethal clashes in an opposition stronghold, historic low turnout and an web blackout, uncommon occasions in Benin.
Since Talon first got here to workplace and after getting re-elected in 2021, most of his opponents have been jailed or have gone into exile.
This yr’s legislative elections had been key for the opposition in preparation for 2026 presidential elections when candidates will want lawmaker assist to be registered.
Parliament additionally performs a task within the composition of the constitutional court docket, which oversees rulings on election disputes.
Its mandate ends this yr and 4 new judges will likely be appointed by lawmakers whereas three are chosen by the president.
The Democrats get together additionally mentioned it might search to push an amnesty legislation in parliament to free jailed colleagues and permit the return of exiles.
In December 2021, opposition chief Reckya Madougou was sentenced to twenty years in jail on a cost of terrorism.
Joel Aivo—one other opposition chief and tutorial—was jailed for 10 years for alleged conspiracy in opposition to the authority of the state.
Each had been tried by a particular court docket coping with terrorism and financial crimes, often known as the CRIET.
Critics say the court docket, opened by Talon’s authorities in 2016, has been used to crack down on his opponents.
Sunday’s legislative vote happened as Benin and different coastal international locations within the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana, Togo and Ivory Coast, face a rising menace from jihadist violence spilling over their northern borders with the Sahel.
(AFP)
[ad_2]
Source_link
