Benin’s Minister of Finance, Romuald Wadagni, the ruling majority’s candidate, has been elected president of the West African country in a landslide victory of over 94%.
He succeeds Patrice Talon, who steps down after two five-year terms, in accordance with the Constitution, during which Benin experienced economic growth but also an increase in jihadist violence in the north and tighter restrictions on civil liberties.
Romuald Wadagni secured 94.05% of the vote, according to provisional results announced late Monday night by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENA), with 90% of ballots counted.
His only rival, moderate opposition candidate Paul Hounkpè—who conceded defeat on Monday afternoon and extended his "republican congratulations” to the winner—received 5.95%.
Final results will be proclaimed by the Constitutional Court.
"The outcome of the election is mathematically irreversible,” said Sacca Lafia, President of CENA, when announcing the results.
"The right to vote was exercised peacefully across every inch of our territory,” he added regarding the vote held on Sunday.
Voter turnout stood at 58.75%, according to CENA.
Turnout was reportedly higher in rural areas than in the country’s two main cities, Cotonou and Porto-Novo, where most polling stations visited by AFP saw low attendance.
Most observers believed the outcome was a foregone conclusion, as Paul Hounkpè appeared to be a relatively weak opponent compared to Wadagni, who was endorsed by the outgoing president and supported by the two ruling parties.
Hounkpè also required sponsorship from majority-elected officials to run in the election.
Meanwhile, the main opposition party, Les Démocrates, did not participate due to a lack of sufficient sponsorship.
The election observation mission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) deployed in Benin praised a "peaceful climate” and "good organization of the vote” in a statement.
On Monday, the economic capital Cotonou returned to its usual rhythm. Shops and businesses that had closed the previous day due to the election reopened early, and the city’s streets were bustling, an AFP journalist observed.
The press offered mixed reactions, describing the election as "generally calm and well organized” (Le Télégramme), pointing to "signs of electoral fraud” (Le Patriote), or headlining "Wadagni on the road to the Marina” (the presidential palace), according to Le Matin Libre.
At the administrative district of Cotonou, where ministries are located, civil servant Ezéckiel Datondji complained of "ballot stuffing and trends that do not reflect the true picture of the vote, with polling stations remaining empty all day.”
While CENA praised a peaceful vote, a civil society election monitoring platform reported incidents on Sunday, including polling stations opening early and ballot boxes already filled before voting began.
Beyond the security challenges in the north, one of Wadagni’s main tasks will be to continue the country’s economic transformation, particularly by making growth more inclusive.
One of the key pillars of his program is the fight against poverty, estimated at 30%, at a time when many Beninese say they are not benefiting from economic growth.
"We have our daily struggles… If Wadagni’s arrival can change our lives, we will be happy… But for now, we must find a way to feed our families,” Alimata, a lock vendor in the Gbégamey district of Cotonou, told AFP on Monday.
On Sunday, after voting, Mr. Talon promised he would not seek "to influence” his successor and said that, at 67, he intended to retire.
AFP