Benin delays in voter cards distribution ahead of February 28 polls

Elections in Benin could be delayed due to a hitch in the distribution of voter cards.

With just three weeks to the presidential elections, the distribution of voter cards began on Friday and is expected to end before the February 28 polls.

The process began in the Borgou and Alibori departments in the north, followed by the Atlantic and the South Coast, and later the rest of the country’s departments.

The Cos-Lepi, the body charged with updating the electoral register, is assuring the country that the whole distribution exercise will end before the ballot.

The country’s electoral body has already issued the new biometric cards to 34 candidates.

However, aspiring candidates foresee the postponement of the first round of elections if the distribution exercise will not end in time.

The West African country experienced a similar situation in April last year during the legislative elections, which saw polling stations still closed at mid-morning because of delays in the distribution of election materials.