The campaign for the legislative elections on Sunday January 8 in Benin is now over. It took place calmly, especially in Tchaourou, birthplace of the former head of state, where violence had broken out in 2019.
With our special correspondent in Tchaourou, Magali Lagrange
The caravans, meetings or door-to-door operations carried out by the seven political parties in the running for these legislative elections for two weeks are over, with a first week all the same less active, due to the end of year celebrations. . More than 6.5 million voters are called upon to decide between the seven parties, three of which claim opposition, which are vying for the 109 seats in the National Assembly.
This campaign marks a resumption of debate in Beninese political life since the elections this Sunday are more inclusive. The last legislative elections, in 2019, were held without the opposition in a country previously presented as a model of democracy in the region. The participation rate had not reached 30%. And the presidential election of April 2021 had displayed no major opposition figure. These two elections were marked by violent clashes, particularly in the areas of Tchaourou and Savè.
The painful memory of 2019
In Tchaourou, where we went, Razak Tidjani presents himself as an activist of the Les Démocrates party. A poster in his hands, he stands under a shelter, surrounded by his comrades. It is the HQ of the party’s youth, he explains. Relaxed atmosphere. The group expresses its joy and relief to see the training in competition.
“ We are happy with what is happening now. We thank President Patrice Talon for this. At least he let the Democrats go to the polls. In 2019, we rejoiced, everywhere we celebrated. Unfortunately, it went wrong. Our families were upset, our children were troubled. »
On her scooter by the side of the main road, Angèle does some shopping. She has not forgotten the events of 2019 either. The teacher says she is reassured and hopes that the elections will take place normally on Sunday. “ Really, the last elections were not at all easy. There was only one part, let’s say, that of movement [présidentielle, NDLR]. There was no opposition. There were shots here and there. Today, people manage to go out, to campaign on both sides. I hope there will be transparency. »
Women are already making an electoral breakthrough
” We want peace! says a traveling saleswoman as we pass, like this shopkeeper, sitting in front of her shop under the arcades. ” It’s quiet, thank God! »
In the camp of the presidential movement as in that of the opposition, the parties affirm to have been able to carry out their campaign normally, on the whole of the Beninese territory.
A campaign led by men and women since – and this is something new in this election – a seat of deputy is now reserved for a candidate in each of the 24 electoral constituencies in Benin.
Election logistics deployed for a promised “totally transparent” ballot
The CENA has been deploying the electoral material since Thursday, everything must be ready for the opening of the offices on Sunday at 7 am. The electoral commission is expected on two points: a good organization and the transparency of the ballot, analyzes our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan.
On Friday evening, the rate of deployment of election materials was not available. ” The main thing is done sums up one of the members of the team in charge of transporting the material to the 7,986 voting centers.
On the vote, the Episcopal Conference of Benin renews in a press release the wish for an electoral process ” transparent “. This is the first challenge, reports the Platform of Civil Society Organizations in Benin because of the high stakes, gathering 10% of the vote at the national level to claim the allocation of seats, then having elected members gives access to funding. , a Talon reform on party financing.
The parties work to position a representative in each office to supervise the vote, the counting, the count with the right to mention his observations on the minutes. You have to mobilize 17,749 activists to be everywhere. ” The ballot will be completely transparent. I assure you Cena president Sacca Lafia told RFI.
In a document, the civil society platform asks him to “ announce the provisional results as soon as possible “.