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News Analysis: Choosing single candidate key to Beninese ruling party in 2016 presidential poll

Xinhua, October 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

The main political alliances in Benin have started the process of searching for their candidates who will contest in the February 2016 presidential elections.

The key alliances, especially the ruling coalition, the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (FCBE) and the opposition, Unity Makes the Nation (UN), are finding it hard to pick a single candidate who will fly their flag in the presidential elections.

For the current president, Boni Yayi, his second and final constitutional term ends on April 6, 2016.

"Within the ruling coalition, there is no clear criteria for choosing the possible successor to Yayi," said Paul Tossa, a Political Science lecturer in Cotonou.

He said the issue of choosing a single candidate for the ruling coalition was more crucial than the choice of a good candidate, out of the many who have expressed interest. In his opinion, this will determine the death or survival of the coalition.

According to the head of the main opposition coalition Bruno Amoussou, there's need for "a careful and prudent method for choosing a candidate who will guarantee victory for the opposition."

He said the opposition political forces will only win the elections if they adopt "appropriate strategies and develop the necessary tactics."

"For a long time, we have been saying that we shall speak to everyone who is contesting in the elections or even those who will not contest but are leading a faction with a national appeal, so that whoever we pick will get broad support from the population," he affirmed.

But even as the country awaits both the ruling coalition and the opposition to pick their candidates, a movement supporting businessman Patrice Talon has emerged to campaign for him across the country.

"Talon remains, to this day, the only solution to the problems facing Benin's people. The only one who can end corruption that has been witnessed in Benin for decades," said Bonaventure Dansi, one of the officials of the group calling itself Rally of Patrice Talon Supporters.

Close to 5 million Beninese voters will be expected to cast their votes on Feb. 28, 2016 to elect the country's new president to succeed outgoing president, Boni Yayi. Endit