20110304
reuters

COTONOU (Reuters) - Benin's parliament on Friday voted to fix errors in the country's voters registration lists, likely forcing a delay in presidential elections in the West African nation scheduled for this weekend.

The African Union and the United Nations on Thursday urged the country to postpone the elections in order to finalise distribution of voters cards and fix other problems.

President Boni Yayi who must approve any postponement of the poll, was due to make a statement later on Friday.

Benin, a top regional cotton producer with a population of 9 million, is one of the few countries in Africa's "coup belt" to have successfully held free and fair elections, winning international praise.

But many voters and opposition parties had complained that millions had been unable to register for the polls or had yet to receive their voter cards.

Parliament approved the new law in the early hours of Friday. It allows the authorities to take steps to ensure citizens can exercise their right to vote. Measures must be applied within five days which may mean delaying the elections.

"Since the start of the distribution of electoral cards, we have been waiting our turn to get one, but no one is here to explain why we don't have them" said Leilatou Aboudou, a voter in the Godomey district near Cotonou.

"With an incomplete electors list, voters without cards, and equipments not delivered, it is unthinkable that we can hold elections Sunday," said Maximilian Tossa who is in charge of a polling station in a district in Cotonou.