The two candidates cleared to run in the presidential election scheduled for April 12 in Benin officially launched their campaigns on Friday.
The ruling coalition’s candidate, current Minister of Finance Romuald Wadagni, began his tour at Kandi Stadium in the north of the country, while his rival Paul Hounkpè of the opposition party FCBE (Forces Cauris pour un Bénin émergent) launched his campaign in Cotonou.
Speaking before thousands of supporters, Wadagni expressed his commitment to developing the regions and addressed the security situation, according to media reports. The finance minister, considered the frontrunner, is also expected to hold two additional rallies in the same region, in Banikoara and Segbana.
For his part, Hounkpè, addressing around a hundred supporters, stated that "the match is not over and this is not a friendly game.”
The campaign period for this presidential election will end on Friday, April 10.
Last October, the electoral commission rejected the candidacy of Renaud Agbodjo, nominated by the main opposition party "Les Démocrates,” due to insufficient endorsements from elected officials required to participate in the election.
According to the ruling issued by the high court, only Mr. Wadagni and Mr. Hounkpè are "authorized to take part in the presidential election of April 12.”