President of Benin

Election

The president is elected by universal suffrage for seven years. They are limited to two terms, whether successive or separated.^[4][5]

Presidential candidates must be:^[6]

1. Beninese citizens by birth, or a naturalised citizen for at least 10 years.
2. Possess "good morality" and "great honesty."
3. Enjoy his civil and political rights.
4. Between 40 and 70 years old at the time of filing.
5. A resident of Benin at the time of the election.
6. Must have their physical and mental well-being duly verified by a collegiate board of three doctors sworn and designated by the Constitutional Court.

Presidents are elected via a two-round system. Elections must take place between 30 and 40 days before the expiration of the incumbent president's term.^[7] If no candidate receives an absolute majority in the first round, a runoff takes place between the top two finishers in the first round.^[8][9]

The runoff takes place 15 days after the second round. If one or both of the two top finishers withdraw before the runoff, the next finishers advance in order of filing. A plurality is required to win.^[9]

Elections are arranged by a decree of the council of ministers.^[10]

The first round of balloting for the election of the President of the Republic shall take place at least thirty days and at most forty days before the expiration date of the powers of the President in office.^[7]

The mandate of the new President of the Republic shall take effect by counting from the expiration date of the mandate of his predecessor.^[7]

Oath of office

Before taking his office, the President of the Republic shall take the following oath:^[11]

Before God, the Manes [spirits] of the ancestors, the Nation and before the Béninese People, the only holder of sovereignty;

I, President of the Republic, elected in accordance with the laws of the Republic do solemnly swear

— To respect and defend the Constitution which the Béninese People have freely given to themselves;

— To fulfill loyally the high office that the Nation has entrusted to me;

— To allow myself to be guided only by the general interest and the respect for human rights to consecrate all my strength to the research and the promotion of the common good, of peace and of national unity;

— To preserve the integrity of the national territory;

— To conduct myself everywhere as a faithful and loyal servant of the people.

In case of perjury, that I shall submit to the severity of the law.

This oath shall be received by the President of the Constitutional Court before the National Assembly and the Supreme Court.

Vacancy

In case of vacancy of the Presidency of the Republic by death, resignation or permanent impediment, the National Assembly shall reconvene in order to rule on the case with an absolute majority of its members. The President of the National Assembly shall refer the matter to the Constitutional Court which shall certify it and declare the vacancy of the Presidency of the Republic. The duties of President of the Republic, with the exception of those mentioned in Articles 54 paragraph 3, 50, 60, 101, and 154 shall be temporarily exercised by the President of the National Assembly.^[12]

The election of a new President of the Republic shall take place thirty days at the least and forty days at most after the declaration of the permanent nature of the vacancy.^[12]

In case of bringing an accusation of the President of the Republic before the High Court of Justice, his interim shall be assumed by the President of the Constitutional Court who shall exercise all the duties of President of the Republic with the exception of those mentioned in Articles 54 paragraph 3, 58, 60, 101 and 154.^[12]

In case of absence from the territory, of illness and of vacation of the President of the Republic, his interim shall be assumed by a member of the Government whom he shall have designated and within the limitation of powers that he shall have delegated to him.^[12]