(3 minutes read)
Over six million Beninese were called to elect 109 MPs on Sunday (Jan. 08) as the country marked the return of opposition candidates after a four-year absence. Reports indicate that the election was calm without any violence. The campaign trail lasted for 15 days. Just over 6 million voters were called to vote
Over six million Beninese were called to elect 109 MPs on Sunday (Jan. 08) as the country marked the return of opposition candidates after a four-year absence. Reports indicate that the election was calm without any violence. The campaign trail lasted for 15 days. Just over 6 million voters were called to vote.
According to the AfDB, growth is expected to reach 6.4% in 2023 in Benin; but a mostly skewed distribution of income as against the popular demand for a fair distribution of income. The charter of demand of the citizens included jobs for youth who are getting educated. Presently, the educated youth are not getting the right type of jobs and end up doing menial types of jobs like running taxis or as mechanics, etc.
Read Also:
https://trendsnafrica.com/legislative-elections-in-benin-opposition-eligible-to-contest/
https://trendsnafrica.com/benin-and-togo-bet-on-electric-vehicles-abandoning-gasoline-powered-ones/
https://trendsnafrica.com/benin-intends-for-help-from-rwanda-to-fight-jihadists/
Seven parties, three of which claim to be in opposition, are vying for the 109 seats in the National Assembly, while 24 seats are reserved for women. Under the proportional voting system, parties that will receive over 10% of the votes will share the 109 seats. The last elections held in 2019 were mired in deadly violence, marked by record abstention and a total shutdown of the internet. This was an unprecedented situation in the west African nation.
The opposition was not allowed to participate in the elections due to a tightening of the voting rules in 2019, which had seen the return of president Patrice Talon.
