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BENIN: CALMNESS MARKS PRESIDENTIAL POLLS March 7, 2006
Apunyu Bonny
(SomaliNet) Benin's presidential polls ended peacefully and turnout was high meanwhile Counting was still underway yesterday, Monday.
In some regions however, voters queued well into the night due to delays in getting ballots, ink and boxes to the 17,849 polling stations across the country.
"I am pleased by the massive turnout," said the head of Benin's National Electoral Commission, Sylvain Nouwatin. "Provisional results will be announced in all transparency."
According to earlier figures, banker Yayi Boni, a newcomer to the political scene, and veteran politician and former cabinet minister Adrien Houngbedji leading the field.
There are 26 candidates bidding to step into the shoes of incumbent President Mathieu Kerekou.