Teh Beninese opposition’s approach to auditing the electoral list has not yet convinced the entire political class. Intended to be consensual by its promoters, the process is struggling to gain support from the majority presidential parties.
With the massive consultation promised and initiated by the opposition consultation framework, it has been brought to the two crucial political parties of the majority who are already in favor of Talon. The objective being pursued is to collect contributions from other parties on the proposed work plan for the audit of the voters’ list.And the least we can take from this is that the presidential camp would not want to be involved in the process.
The first party that was consulted, the progressive Union Renewal (UPR) questioned the approach of the opposition which according to its reading does not comply with the legal framework of the elections. The majority party in parliament even affirms a principled position: “that he would fail in his political duty and interfere with the responsibility of the opposition if he were to associate himself, in his current political position, with an initiative based on a lack of confidence in the electoral system which he politically defended and which he actively sought”.
On the side of the Republican Bloc,the other party in the presidential camp represented in parliament,the position is no different. The party “he does not intend to participate in this inspection operation” EDS “lack of relevant reasons” et “in contrast, there is a risk that the relevance of the next general election will be seriously affected”, highlights a press release from the BR.
In a new position, MOELE-Benin, a party close to the government, says it welcomes the initiative of the Democrats. She was the president promises to publish the party’s official opinion when its officers have studied the terms of reference submitted by the opponents. However, Jacques Ayadji takes note “The problem of the electoral roll is not complicated. It is a problem of the position of the voters in relation to their polling places”. the Renaissance Nationale party, close to the majority, was also consulted. according to its vice-president Cyril Djikui, the party has “entirely shared” the approach. But RN’s detailed position on the opposition document will be known later.
Support from Civil Society
Civil society organizations (CSOs) are also intermediaries targeted by the opposition. His emissions were met by the Central Statistics Office’s Electoral Platform which declared its support for the planned audit of the electoral roll. “The initiative is part of the dynamics of the Platform. since 2023, we have tried to encourage this action,” declared its president, Fatoumatou Batoko Zossou.
the Government reiterates its agreement to the audit
It is not the position of the parties that support the prevailing Government. This is what the spokesperson for the Executive says in relation to the audit which divides the political class. Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji, he reiterated the agreement of the President of the Republic given to the Democrats who initiated the audit request. On the sidelines press briefing after the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, November 27the Government spokesman emphasized that there is none “no discrepancy” between the position of Patrice talon and the position of the parties that support him.
A few days later, on the set of the program Focus on the public channelhe did not withdraw, specifying the condition the Government imposed on the opponents: “You choose who you want as experts as long as we have the certainty that they are experts and that they are people with a record of service. For the rest, we support”. In each case,the search for consensus with the political class,carried out by the opposition’s consultative framework “it is not necessary”, according to Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji.
“Political politics”
At the moment, the opposition’s consultation framework has not yet indicated the follow-up to be given to the negative responses received from certain parties. The Democrats party, the leader of the opposition, refrained from any official response through its spokesperson we contacted. Though,the opposition’s refusals and reservations in its approach will not affect the outcome of the audit process,according to another internal party source. The position taken by the pro-Talon parties is nothing more than “political politicians”, cites the same source.
How can the ruling parties in Benin foster dialog with the opposition to address electoral concerns?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and electoral Expert on Beninese Opposition’s Auditing Efforts
Time.news Editor: Good day, and welcome to our special segment on the electoral dynamics in Benin. Today, we have with us Dr. Camille Ahouansou, an expert in electoral politics and a keen observer of the Beninese political landscape. Dr. Ahouansou, thank you for joining us.
Dr.Ahouansou: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such a pressing issue.
Time.news Editor: The Beninese opposition has initiated an audit of the electoral list,aiming for a united front. However, it seems they are facing significant pushback from the majority parties aligned with President Talon. What do you make of this situation?
Dr. Ahouansou: It’s indeed a complex situation. The opposition’s intent to audit the electoral list can be seen as a crucial step toward ensuring openness in the electoral process. However, the response from the presidential camp indicates a deep-seated mistrust and concerns about the legitimacy of the opposition’s motives.
Time.news Editor: The Progressive Union renewal (UPR) has publicly criticized the opposition’s approach, suggesting it lacks credibility within the legal electoral framework. Does this create a significant barrier for the opposition’s efforts?
Dr. Ahouansou: Absolutely. The UPR’s claims bring to light the delicate balance of political obligation in a democracy. They argue that supporting the audit could undermine the legitimacy of the existing electoral system. Such a position creates an environment where the audit can be perceived not as a step toward betterment, but rather as a politically motivated attack. This stance from the majority further complicates the opposition’s efforts to gain wider support.
Time.news Editor: That makes sense. Can you elaborate on why the Republican Bloc is similarly resistant to being involved in the inspection operations?
Dr. Ahouansou: The Republican Bloc’s unwillingness to partake stems from similar concerns raised by the UPR. They view the audit as lacking “relevant reasons,” and there’s fear that engaging could inadvertently harm the credibility of the next general election. This indicates a broader strategy of the presidential parties to maintain a unified front against what they perceive as unwarranted challenges to their governance.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like the division within Benin’s political landscape is more pronounced than ever. How might this affect the upcoming elections?
Dr.Ahouansou: the implications are significant. A lack of consensus on the electoral list could lead to disputes that jeopardize the legitimacy of the elections. If key political players are not on board, it creates a crisis of confidence among the electorate, which could lead to increased tensions and even protests. It is indeed crucial that both sides find common ground to enhance electoral credibility.
Time.news editor: Given these challenges, what do you think are the steps that both parties could explore to foster dialogue and cooperation?
Dr. Ahouansou: A true commitment to dialogue is essential. The opposition could work on building trust by inviting autonomous electoral experts to oversee the audit process, ensuring transparency. Simultaneously occurring, the presidential camp could demonstrate a willingness to engage with the opposition’s concerns, perhaps by suggesting amendments to the audit proposal that address their legal concerns. Open interaction and compromise will be key to moving forward.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr.Ahouansou. Your insights highlight the challenges and the path towards a more cohesive electoral process in Benin. We appreciate your time today.
Dr. Ahouansou: thank you. I hope for a positive outcome for the democratic processes in Benin.
Time.news Editor: and that wraps up our interview for today. Stay tuned for more updates on this topic and other emerging stories from around the world.