Benin Rep. parliamentary election turns violent as protesters set cars, buildings ablaze

Violence broke out in Cotonou on Wednesday, following the order of President Talon for the arrest of former President Boni Yayi after calling for the cancellation of Sunday's parliamentary election.

More than sixty(60) cars were set ablaze by aggrieved protesters some of whom had earlier barricaded major streets leading to Yaya Boni's house, when soldiers encircled his home.

Earlier results announced by the commission showed a record low turnout in the poll, as opposition leaders were barred from fielding any candidates for the controversial parliamentary election.

According to an AFP reporter demonstrators erected makeshift barriers of burning tires, as police fired tear gas to push the scattered protests back.

Many citizens heeded the opposition and Yaya Boni's call for boycott of the polls, with over three- quarters of the five million registered voters staying away.

Voters turnout for the Sunday poll was low because candidates of the opposition party were not allowed to contest, while only came two parties - the Republican Bloc and the Progressive Union — both loyal to President Talon fielded candidates

Late on Tuesday , the election commission chairman Emmanuel Tiando announced that 22 .99 percent of registered voters had cast ballots,
Turnout has never dropped below 50 percent since the country’ s transition to democracy in 1990.

The two parties loyal to Talon will share all of parliament ’s 83 seats .

The Progressive Union is expected to get 47, and the Republican Bloc 36 seats , subject to final official confirmation of results.

Commission chairman Tiando said voting did not take place in 39 of the country’ s 546 districts due to “ incidents ”

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