Religious Leaders in Benin Urge Citizens to Remain Calm amid Contested Electoral Code

Cotonou, 08 March, 2024 / 8:50 PM

Religious leaders in Benin have urged citizens in the West African nation to remain calm following the country’s disputed parliamentary review of certain provisions of the electoral code as requested by the constitutional court on January 4.

On Tuesday, March 5, Members of Parliament (MPs) in Benin voted to modify the electoral code. On January 4, the Constitutional Court had ordered parliament to review certain provisions of the electoral code described by the opposition as “inconsistent.”

These inconsistencies concern the sponsorship of candidates and avoiding overlapping dates for the 2026 general elections, RFI reported.

In a statement issued March 5, the representatives of Islam, the Methodist Protestant Church and the Catholic Church said they are following the socio-political situation in the country with “utmost attention.”

“The leaders of Benin's religious denominations call on the sons and daughters of Benin to remain calm, and on political actors of all persuasions to show wisdom and restraint in order to preserve peaceful coexistence, the guarantee of our country's development,” they said in their collective statement shared with ACI Africa.

The religious leaders added, “We must, at all costs, spare the Beninese people the violence that marred the last elections, by voting for an Electoral Code that guarantees peaceful, transparent, inclusive and democratic elections in 2026.”

They invited the members of parliament  “in the name of the higher interest of the nation, in the name of the preservation of peace and stability of our country, to avoid any law or provision that could lead to exclusion.”

Some 28 opposition MPs voted against the amendment while 79 MPs from the ruling party voted in favor and there was one abstention. 

The abstainer from President Patrice Talon's camp noted from the outset that the National Assembly of Benin was moving away from the Court's instructions. 

According to the adopted electoral code, each presidential-vice-presidential candidate duo must gather the support of at least 15 percent of MPs and mayors, from at least three-fifths of electoral districts, marking a 5 percent increase on previous legislation. 

In addition, a deputy or mayor may now only sponsor a candidate from his or her political party, unless there is a prior governance agreement between the two parties, formalized with the electoral commission before candidacies are submitted.

Furthermore, one must achieve a score of at least 20 percent in the 24 constituencies compared to 10 in the past to claim a deputy seat.