Benin’s new constitution, swiftly adopted on November 1st through an urgent procedure, establishes a “presidential ticket” system. This reform mandates the simultaneous election of both the President of the Republic and a Vice-President, requiring an absolute majority of votes across two rounds of balloting.
Further provisions within the document include the complete abolition of the death penalty, the creation of a specialized Court of Accounts, and the formal institutionalization of affirmative action principles designed to benefit women during electoral processes.
The terms of office for parliamentary deputies are now restricted to a maximum of three. Additionally, deputies who previously vacated their seats for a substitute are now afforded the opportunity to reclaim their positions.
The existing constitutional limit of two consecutive presidential terms, originally established in the December 11, 1990 constitution, has been significantly strengthened. Under the revised framework, no individual may serve more than two presidential terms during their entire lifetime.