A presidential election was held in the West African state of Benin on March 5, 2006 to elect a successor to long-time president Mathieu Kérékou, who was barred from running again by a two term limit and an age limit of 70 years for candidates. Kérékou's long-time rival Nicéphore Soglo was also barred from standing due to his age. With both of the men who had been the country's leading political figures for many years unable to contest the election, it had a level of openness and unpredictability that is uncommon to African presidential elections. Since no candidate won a majority, a second round was held between the two leading candidates on March 19; Boni Yayi won the election and will take office in April. March 5 is the 64th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (65th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... (Ahmed) Mathieu Kérékou (born September 2, 1933) is the president of Benin. ... Nicéphore Dieudonné Soglo (born 29 November 1934) is a politician, former Prime Minister, and President of Benin. ... March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ...

In the first round, Yayi, former chairman of the West African Development Bank, came in first with about 35% of the vote, and former prime minister Adrien Houngbédji of the Democratic Renewal Party came in second with about 24% of the vote. In third place was the Social Democratic Party's candidate Bruno Amoussou, a former speaker of parliament, planning minister, and frequent presidential candidate who obtained about 16% of the vote, and in fourth place was Benin Renaissance candidate Lehady Soglo, son of former president Nicéphore Soglo, with about 8% of the vote. Democratic Renewal Party (French: Parti de renouveau démocratique) is a political party of Benin led by Adrien Houngbédji. ... The Social Democratic Party (French: Parti Social-Démocrate) is a political party in Benin. ... Bruno Amoussou (born 2 July 1939 in Djakotomey) is a Beninese politician and leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). ... The Benin Rebirth Party (French: Parti de la renaissance du Bénin) is an oppositional, more or less liberal party in Benin. ...

Shortly after results were announced in mid-March, the government set the date for the second round between Yayi and Houngbédji for March 19. The country's election commission asked for more time, but this was refused. Yayi was backed for the second round by both Amoussou and Soglo. He won the second round with about 75% of the vote and will be sworn in on April 6. [1]

Official first round results

There were 3,917,865 registered voters of which 3,200,944 voted.

The results were as follows:

1) Boni Yayi 1,074,308
2) Adrien Houngbédji 727,239
3) Bruno Amoussou 489,122
4) Léhadi Vinagnon Soglo 253,478
5) Antoine Kolawolé Idji 97,595
6) Lazare Sehoueto 61,195
7) Séverin Adjovi 53,304
8) Antoine Dayori 37,436
9) Kamarou Fassassi 29,494
10) Janvier Yahouedehou 23,054
11) Luc-Marie Constant Gnacadja 20,269
12) Daniel Tawema 18,125
13) Ibrahima Djériwô Idrissou Djarra 18,106
14) Richard Senou 15,672
15) Souley Dankoro 9,929
16) Marie-Elise Gbedo 9,815
17) Célestine Zanou 9,474
18) Lionel Agbo 9,026
19) Zul-Kifl Salami 8,538
20) Richard Adjaho 7,448
21) Gatien Houngbedji 6,544
22) Djimon Hodonou 6,512
23) Galiou Soglo 5,243
24) Kouessan LéandreDjagoue 4,665
25) Marcel Didier Gbaguidi 3,479
26) Raphiou Toukourou 3,419
Bruno Amoussou (born 2 July 1939 in Djakotomey) is a Beninese politician and leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). ...

Reference

• Yayi Boni, Yayi Boni's Official Campaign Website (in French)
• Houngbedji 2006, Official Website of Adrien Houngbedji (in French)
• CENA, Commission Electoral Nationale Autonome (in French)
• IRIN, "Official results confirm second round run-off in presidential poll", March 15, 2006.
• IRIN, "Rejecting appeal, government sets poll for 19 March", March 18, 2006.