Parties and Candidates

Benin

PC001

Question:	What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	b. Deposit requirement (specify amount) c. Regional distribution requirement f. Other
Comments:	Political parties or coalitions wishing to participate in elections are required to submit lists of candidates in all constituencies. Each list has a number of candidates equal to the seats and there should be an alternate for each candidate. The party lists must be submitted at least 30 days before the opening of the electoral campaign period. The latest 2 days after the submission of the candidates' lists, political parties or coalitions must pay to the Treasury a deposit of 100,000 francs per candidate. This deposit is refundable to political parties or groups of parties whose lists have obtained at least 10% of the votes cast throughout the country.
Source:	Law n ° 2010-33 of 7 January 2011 setting general rules for the elections in the Republic of Benin, art. 33, 34: http://ddata.over-blog.com/1/35/48/78/Benin-2/Loi-electorale-generale-pour-2011.pdf (2016 ); Law No. 2010-35 of 21 December 2010 regulating the election of members of the National Assembly, art. 3, 29, 34: http://ddata.over-blog.com/1/35/48/78/Benin-2/Loi-legislatives-2011.pdf (2016)
Verified:	2019/04/05

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PC003

Question:	What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	a. Age b. Citizenship d. Residence
Comments:	Candidates must be at least 25 years old. Nationals of Benin by birth must have resided at least one year in the country, whereas naturalized citizens must have resided in the country for at least an uninterrupted period of 10 years.
Source:	Law No. 2010-35 of 21 December 2010 regulating the election of members of the National Assembly, art. 11: http://ddata.over-blog.com/1/35/48/78/Benin-2/Loi-legislatives-2011.pdf (2016)
Verified:	2019/04/05

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PC008

Question:	Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):	b. In presidential elections
Comments:
Source:	Law n ° 2010-33 of 7 January 2011 setting general rules for the elections in the Republic of Benin, art. 93, 94, 95: http://ddata.over-blog.com/1/35/48/78/Benin-2/Loi-electorale-generale-pour-2011.pdf (2016)
Verified:	2019/04/05

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PC012

Question:	Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):	b. Direct c. Indirect
Comments:	Legally established political parties having at least one member of the National Assembly receive annual funding from the State. For the reimbursement of election campaign to the political parties and individual candidates, the State allocates a flat fee per candidate elected in respect of legislative and local elections. For presidential elections, the lump-sum reimbursement is made for any candidate who receives at least 10% of the votes cast.
Source:	Law N° 2001/21 Charter of Political Parties, art. 40: http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/benin/05207.pdf (2016); Law n ° 2010-33 of 7 January 2011 setting general rules for the elections in the Republic of Benin, art. 95: http://ddata.over-blog.com/1/35/48/78/Benin-2/Loi-electorale-generale-pour-2011.pdf (2016)
Verified:	2019/04/05

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PC015

Question:	What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):	a. Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance c. Based on current legislative representation
Comments:	Legally established political parties having at least one member of the National Assembly receive annual funding from the State. The distribution of this funding is proportional to the number of seats won by each political party. For the reimbursement of election campaign to the political parties and individual candidates, the State allocates a flat fee per candidate elected in respect of legislative and local elections. For presidential elections, the lump-sum reimbursement is made for any candidate who obtained at least 10% of the votes cast.
Source:	Law N° 2001/21 Charter of Political Parties, art. 40: http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/benin/05207.pdf (2016); Law n ° 2010-33 of 7 January 2011 setting general rules for the elections in the Republic of Benin, art. 95: http://ddata.over-blog.com/1/35/48/78/Benin-2/Loi-electorale-generale-pour-2011.pdf (2016)
Verified:	2019/04/05

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PC017

Question:	Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Law N° 2001/21 Charter of Political Parties, art. 33, 35: http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/benin/05207.pdf (2016)
Verified:	2019/04/05

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