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ECOWAS hails conduct of Benin presidential polls

Xinhua, March 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

The election observer mission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Monday said Sunday's presidential elections in Benin were generally held in acceptable conditions that were free and fair.

In a statement released in Cotonou by Kabine Komara, head of the observer mission who is a former Guinean prime minister, the mission hailed efforts made by Beninese authorities, bodies charged with the role of organizing the elections, and all parties who took part for the peaceful conduct of the elections.

"The mission congratulates voters for the patience they demonstrated, hence confirming democratic maturity that has always characterised Beninese people. ECOWAS urges these voters to maintain their exemplary behaviour until the announcement of the final provisional results. It urges them to guard this high level of responsibility and preserve values of tolerance and peace," he said.

To monitor the first round of Benin's presidential elections on March 6, ECOWAS deployed a mission of 136 election observers.

Over 4.7 million Beninese voters turned up on Sunday to cast their votes in 13,664 polling stations spread across the country to elect the successor of outgoing President Boni Yayi whose second term comes to an end on April 6.

The provisional results have not yet been published. Enditem