Benin delays elections to April
2008-02-10 23:06
Cotonou - Benin's government will postpone local elections originally scheduled for February 17 by two months, said officials on Sunday, as parties clashed about choosing election commission representatives.
"These elections have been delayed because the legal waiting period of 60 days for installing the Autonomous National Electoral Commission before the vote has not been respected," said the government.
According to Benin's electoral law, commission members must be designated at least 90 days ahead of voting and take office at least 60 days before.
The present electoral commission did not convene until January 19, because deputies had difficulty choosing their representatives and lawmakers squabbled over which party should have the greatest number.
Elections to choose village and other local representatives will now take place on April 13, said the government.
The elections will be the second of their kind since 1990.
