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Benin PM Lionel Zinsou leads presidential vote, faces run-off

Xinhua, March 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Provisional results from the presidential elections in Benin show Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou has a slight lead and will face a second round against businessman Patrice Talon.

Zinsou, candidate of the ruling party, took 28.44 percent of votes cast, followed by Talon on 24.8 percent of votes cast, according to the results announced Tuesday by Emmanuel Tiado, chairman of the electoral body.

The two will compete in the second round set to be held within two weeks.

Sebastien Ajavon, the chairman of national employers' council, came third in the first round on 23.03 percent of votes cast.

The first round of the polls closed with a turnout of 64.03 percent of some 4.7 million voters, who are choosing a new president among 33 candidates.

President Boni Yayi is stepping down as his second term ends on April 6. He backs Zinsou in the presidential vote. Endit