( Serge David Zoueme - Anadolu Agency )
Benin
COTONOU, Benin
Beninese businessman Patrice Talon has won the country’s presidential election with 65.39 percent of the vote.
His rival, Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, secured 34.61 percent of the vote in the run-off, the National Electoral Commission CENA said on Monday.
“I am proud of my country Benin that has once again expressed its commitment to democracy. I also congratulate Mr. Lionel Zinsou,” Talon posted on his Facebook page.
“I will not disappoint you because you gave me an honorable task, a task that requires all of us to assume our responsibilities to proudly carry the banner of our country Benin,” he added.
Zinsou had earlier conceded his defeat and congratulated Talon for his victory.
"I called Patrice Talon to congratulate him on his victory and wished him luck," Zinsou posted on his Facebook page Monday.
Talon, 57, a businessman received support of most of the other opposition candidates.
The voter turnout was 65 percent out of the 4.7 million people eligible to cast their ballots Sunday, according to the country’s election commission.
Zinsou led in the first round of the election on March 6 with 28.4 percent of the vote, while Talon had 24.8 percent.
The first democratic elections in the West African state took place in 1991.
Benin gained independence from France in 1960.
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