Benin constitutional court validates Talon election, calls for swearing-in
Xinhua, March 31, 2016 Adjust font size:
Benin's constitutional court on Wednesday validated the election of the cotton tycoon Patrice Talon as president elect of the country for the coming five year term.
The highest national judiciary, to solve electoral complaints, thus summons the new president to take his oath on April 6 before taking office for the five year-period 2016-2021.
The businessman Talon defeated, March 20, the outgoing Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou in a runoff poll after a first round poll on March 6, with 33 contestants.
The president elect won the runoff poll by obtaining over 2. 03 million votes cast, representing 65.37 percent of total votes cast.
His challenger Lionel Zinsou, who took the lead in the first round poll, was left with over 1. 07 million votes cast, representing 34.63 percent.
According to the final results, more than 4. 47 million electorate took part to the runoff poll with a total of over 3. 10 million votes cast.
Patrice Talon, cotton tycoon, will succeed the outgoing president Yayi Boni whose two term office ends on April 6, 2016. Endit