With our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan

Neither Joël Aivo nor Reckya Madougou will participate in the election. The Court confirms CENA's list which had excluded the duos of the Democratic party and the opposition platform for lack of sponsorship

Éric Houndété, president of the Democratic party, speaks of a competition between Patrice Talon and his stooges. "We were not expecting a miracle. We would have liked the Constitutional Court to acknowledge that this election is an exclusive election. We have proven that the regime does not want competition. This is an election 'Patrice Talon against Patrice Talon'."

Among the bitter rejects is the Party for Commitment and Renewal. "We were promised a celebration, an inclusive election and the Court declares only 3 candidacies," laments its president Nathanaël Koty. "It is still unfortunate for our democracy."

The claim of a locked-down competition leveled at Patrice Talon is rejected by the government spokesman. "There is no exclusion," asserts Alain Orounla. "Thus three candidacy duos have been retained which are more than sufficient to establish the openness of this election and the democratic choice offered to Beninese voters."

Even though the opposition declares it will not let democracy be taken from it, CENA is rolling out its schedule; it publishes this afternoon the list transmitted by the wise men.