According to CENA’s early results issued late Wednesday, Boni, a former chairman of the West African Development Bank (WADB), won the second round of the poll with 1,969,308 votes, or 74.51 percent, while Houngbedji earned 673,763 votes, or 25.49 percent.
Houngbedji, who ran under the Party for Democratic Renewal (PRD), said he had sent to Boni his “warm congratulations” and his “sincere wishes for the success of his term at the head of Benin.”
“The electoral period is now over. Benin has opened a new chapter of its history. We have to get to work in order to strengthen our unity, consolidate our democracy and start our development,” the lawyer said.
While paying tribute to Benin’s people for its courage and determination, Houngbedji reassured all those who supported and gave him their votes that he would pursue the fight started for a long time for the advent and fulfilment of democracy in Benin.