Elections and Political Parties
For other political parties see List of political parties in Benin. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Benin.During the 2001 presidential elections alleged irregularities led to a boycott of the run-off poll by the main opposition candidates. The four top-ranking contenders following the first round presidential elections were Mathieu Kérékou (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore Soglo (former president) 27.1%, Adrien Houngbédji (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno Amoussou (Minister of State) 8.6%. The second round balloting, originally scheduled for March 18, 2001, was postponed for days because both Soglo and Houngbédji withdrew, alleging electoral fraud. This left Kérékou to run against his own Minister of State, Amoussou, in what was termed a "friendly match". The next presidential elections were held in March 2006; with both Kérékou and Soglo constitutionally unable to stand, political newcomer Yayi Boni was elected, defeating Houngbédji in a second round of voting. Yayi Boni and his parliamentary allies also won the elections of 2011.
| Candidates – Parties | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yayi Boni | 1,333,153 | 53.18 | ||
| Adrien Houngbédji – Democratic Renewal Party | 893,976 | 35.66 | ||
| Abdoulaye Bio-Tchané | 157,642 | 6.29 | ||
| Salifou Issa – Union for Relief | 24,774 | 0.99 | ||
| Christian Enock Lagnidé | 16,304 | 0.65 | ||
| François Janvier Yahouédéhou | 12,257 | 0.49 | ||
| Jean-Yves Sinzogan | 11,908 | 0.48 | ||
| Akuavi Marie-Elise Christiana Gbèdo | 10,285 | 0.41 | ||
| Antoine Dayori – Hope Force | 10,056 | 0.40 | ||
| Victor Prudent Topanou | 9,793 | 0.39 | ||
| Cyr Kouagou M'po | 7,752 | 0.31 | ||
| Késsilé Tchala Saré | 7,749 | 0.31 | ||
| Salomon Joseph Ahissou Biokou | 6,699 | 0.27 | ||
| Joachim Dahissiho | 4,724 | 0.19 | ||
| Total (turnout %) | 2,507,072 | 100.00 | ||
| Source: boniyayi.bj | ||||
| Parties and alliances | Seats | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cauri Forces for an Emerging Benin (Forces Cauris pour un Bénin Emergent) | 41 | ||
| Unite the Nation (Union fait la Nation) | 30 | ||
| Amana Alliance (Alliance Amana) | 2 | ||
| Alliance G13 Baobab (Alliance G13 Baobab) | 2 | ||
| Cauris 2 Alliance (Alliance Cauris 2) | 2 | ||
| Hope Force–Union for Relief (Force Espoir–Union pour la Relève) | 2 | ||
| Strength in Unity Alliance (Alliance Force dans l’Unité) | 2 | ||
| Union for Benin (Union pour le Bénin) | 2 | ||
| Total (turnout %) | 83 | ||
| Source: Constitutional Court | |||
Read more about this topic: Politics Of Benin
Famous quotes containing the words elections and, elections, political and/or parties:
“Elections and politics in this country correspond with battles and war in other times and countries. Whatever of departing evils remains is sure to show itself last in the excitement of political contests.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)
“Apparently, a democracy is a place where numerous elections are held at great cost without issues and with interchangeable candidates.”
—Gore Vidal (b. 1925)
“The rank and file have let their servants become their masters and dictators.... Provision should be made in all union constitutions for the recall of leaders. Big salaries should not be paid. Career hunters should be driven out, as well as leaders who use labor for political ends. These types are menaces to the advancement of labor.”
—Mother Jones (1830–1930)
“People who live in the post-totalitarian system know only too well that the question of whether one or several political parties are in power, and how these parties define and label themselves, is of far less importance than the question of whether or not it is possible to live like a human being.”
—Václav Havel (b. 1936)