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Rivals in Benin presidential run-off poll seeking support

Xinhua, March 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

Benin's Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou and businessman Patrice Talon are seeking support in full swing, ahead of their run-off race for presidency due on March 20.

Provisional results show Zinsou in the lead with 28.44 percent of the vote, followed by Talon on 24.80 percent in the first round of presidential polls in which 33 candidates contested.

The chairman of the national employer council, Sebastien Ajavon, came third on 23.03 percent.

The results must be confirmed by the constitutional court, which is scheduled for Thursday.

But Zinsou and Talon have started their efforts towards the presidency, contacting defeated candidates who are potential kingmakers.

On Tuesday, cotton tycoon Talon held talks with members of a coalition of nine candidates, trying to set them against the ruling party candidate, Zinsou.

The coalition, dubbed Rupture, comprises Ajavon, who was less than two percent behind Talon in the first round.

Talon also had talks with former President Nicephore Soglo and other politicians who were said to be opposed to incumbent President Boni Yayi, who supports Zinsou.

President Yayi is stepping down after two terms in office.

For its part, the ruling FCBE party has begun consolidating its ties with parties allied to it, and has tried to drawing in main defeated candidates of the first round. Endit