Following a poll that saw the return of the opposition after a four-year absence, the Constitutional Court of the country declared on Thursday that President Patrice Talon’s camp had won the majority of seats in parliament.
The smoothly held election on Sunday was a crucial test for this little West African nation, which has been led by Patrice Talon since 2016.
Rich businessman who has supported Benin’s economic growth is criticised for allegedly undermining democracy; his biggest rivals have either been put behind bars or forced into exile.
Since Mr. Talon took office, the opposition hasn’t participated in elections until now.
According to Razaki Amouda Issifou, president of the Constitutional Court, the Republican Bloc (BR) and the Progressive Union for Renewal (UP-R), the presidential parties, gained 81 of the 109 seats in parliament.
At the conclusion of the election, which took place on Sunday with a participation percentage of 37.79%, the biggest opposition party, The Democrats, secured 28 seats.
In this nation that was once held up as an example of democracy, seven political parties, including three supporters of the opposition, were permitted to participate in the election.
According to a proportional system, only political parties receiving more than 10% of the vote can be given seats in Parliament.
Earlier on Thursday, Democratic Party Leader Eric Houndete disregarded the preliminary results, blaming the two major pro-government parties’ vote-buying, vote-rigging, and “blatant” vote-buying, although he did not immediately offer any proof.
“The Democratic Party rejects these results, which do not reflect the will of the people to make us the leading political force in the country,” Mr Houndete had already declared.
Ten days after the results are formally declared, the results may still be challenged.
Return of the opposition
Due to the government’s tightening of the voting regulations, the opposition was unable to run in the last parliamentary elections, hence this election also marked its return to Parliament after a four-year absence.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) declared that the election on Sunday was peaceful and conducted in conformity with the law.
The most recent parliamentary elections held in 2019 were distinguished by deadly violence, record-breaking voter turnout (more than 70%), and a complete internet blackout—all incredibly unusual occurrences in Benin.
In the years leading up to the 2026 presidential election, where candidates must receive the backing of legislators in order to be registered, the opposition will benefit from the return to Parliament.
The makeup of the Constitutional Court, which adjudicates on electoral disputes, is likewise influenced by Parliament. His term ends this year, and four new judges will be picked by the MPs, with the president selecting the other three.
In order to secure the release of its detained members and permit the return of exiles, the Democrats party has said that it will work to have an amnesty law passed in parliament.
Reckya Madougou, a former opposition leader, was given a 20-year prison term in 2021 for “terrorism.”
Another opposition leader, Joël Aïvo received a ten-year prison term the same year, primarily for “money laundering” and “conspiracy against the State.”
The Court for the Suppression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism, a special court, heard both cases (Criet).
This jurisdiction, established by the government in 2016, has drawn criticism for using critics to repress its opponents.
The jihadist violence in the northern borders with Burkina Faso and Niger, as well as in other Gulf of Guinea nations (Ghana, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire), has increased in the days leading up to Sunday’s legislative elections.
