Benin’s opposition party, Les Démocrates (The Democrats), is convening its National Council on October 12 in Abomey-Calavi to select its candidates for the April 2026 presidential election, having received 34 applications.
The opposition formation, led by former President Boni Yayi, issued a call for candidacies on October 2. By the October 4 deadline for applicants, 34 files had been registered seeking the party’s nomination.
The convocation is based on the party’s statutes and internal regulations, as well as the decisions of the first ordinary congress held in Parakou on October 14 and 15, 2023, the invitation addressed to the national council members specifies.
The meeting will bring together members of the High Council, the National Coordination, and the Electoral and Municipal Coordinations.
This designation comes after the presidential movement selected its duo for the polls, comprising Romuald Wadagni and Mariam Talata.
Separately, the reception of candidate declaration files for the 2026 presidential election began this Friday, October 10, 2025, at the headquarters of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA) in Ganhi.
No candidacies were registered on this first day.
The submission of files will continue until October 14, 2025, according to the CENA Communication Directorate.
AC/sf/lb/as/APA