Presidential 2026 : OB concerns(etists)

While we thought that the question on the electoral code was put in the closet, the debate has resurfaced. 2nd vice-president of the National Assembly, Léon Basile Ahossi looked at it again through a new media release. And he was not the only one to throw a stone into the pond. Jean-Eudes Mitokpè, member of one of the coalitions supporting the candidacy of Olivier Boco was also critical on the subject but above all worried about the fate of his champion.

A few months after the adoption and then promulgation of the new version of the electoral code, the pill still has difficulty passing. In the camp of the opposition party The Democrats, the pressure is always constant, as evidenced by the recent media outing of Basile Ahossi reported by the daily Le Patriote. " The code, this is crooked code. It is full of irregularities and contradictions” fumes Léon Basile Ahossi, vice-president of the National Assembly.

The quota of 20% challenged

From a threshold of 10% to be collected at the national level before the allocation of seats to deputies or local elected officials, the code voted on the night of 5 mars 2024, raises the bar even higher. It is now necessary 20% by electoral district for each political group before being eligible for sharing. “According to this code, we must have 20% in all 24 electoral constituencies without providing anything in case no one obtains this and yet the Constitution requires 10%" indicates the opposition deputy to show that the content of this code does not benefit Benin's living together in any way. “We’re heading towards the wall”, laments the 2nd vice-president of the National Assembly.

OB concerns(etists)

Despite their recriminations, the deputies of the Les Démocrates party display serenity regarding a possible victory in 2026. Building on their breakthrough in the Legislative elections in January 2023 (28 deputies on 109) and their growing population, the LD deputy is confident for the future. “The Democrats party is doing like a charm. So many we are registering memberships at the moment while under other skies, it empties. In 2026, there will not be a second round,” Basile Ahossi convinces himself.

An attitude which contrasts with the feelings of Olivier Boco's supporters. And for good reason a provision of the new code linked to the sponsorship of presidential candidates. It is said that each sponsor must have the agreement of the president of his political party. Result; if the party leader does not approve of the candidate in question, his dream is shattered. A requirement which de facto could exclude Olivier Boco, officially without political label for the moment. During his lively press conference in mid-June 2024, Jean Eudes Mitokpè, president of OB26, strongly criticized this aspect of the Beninese electoral code which, according to him, is exclusive. «(…) an attempt at political manipulation intended to prevent Boco, and other candidates to be at this electoral meeting” he said. According to him, these changes pose a serious risk to the transparency and fairness of the presidential election of 2026, particularly with regard to the choice of candidates. The wish of Jean-Eudes Mitokpè and that of several other political actors and civil society is a new rereading of the electoral code before 2026.

Arnaud ACAKPO (Coll)