Political novice Boni Yayi set to become new president

Boni Yayi, a former banker in his maiden bid for political office, has won nearly 75 percent of the vote in the final round of Benin’s presidential election, according to provisional results from the National Electoral Commission. Yayi won 74.51 percent of votes in the second run-off round on 19 March against 25.49 percent for veteran political leader Adrien Houngbedji, the electoral commission (CENA) said late Wednesday after counting 97.20 percent of the ballot papers. Turnout was 67.01 percent against 70.87 percent in the first round on 5 March. The election of a new president – the fourth poll since the introduction of multi-party politics in 1991 – marks a turning point for the tiny West African nation wedged between Nigeria and Togo. It ends almost three decades in office for President Mathieu Kerekou, who was ineligible to run due to his age and to having completed two successive terms. Doubts over whether he would relinquish the office at the end of his mandate 6 April clouded the run-up to the poll. Yayi, who last month resigned as chairman of the Togo-based West African Development Bank to run in the election, said after voting last Sunday that “we must work together to take up the challenge of developing our nation”. The 54-year-old ran as an independent with the backing of a coalition of parties and civil society groups. While the run-up to the poll was marred by funding shortfalls, complaints from disgruntled electoral workers and fears of a less-than-smooth process, two peaceful rounds of voting once again reinforced Benin’s status as an oasis of stability and democracy in turbulent West Africa. Challenger Houngbedji, the 64-year-old leader of the Democratic Renewal Party who twice served as speaker of parliament, was quick to extend his congratulations. “Our country has turned a new page in its history. Our common duty is to get down to work to open the page of a strengthened unity, a deepened democracy and the beginnings of our development.”