Mathieu Kérékou FARD-Alafia Yayi Boni Independent Presidential elections were held in Benin on 5 March 2006.

The constitution not only stipulated an absolute two-term limit, but required presidents to be 70 years old or younger when taking office; Kérékou had turned 70 in 2003.

[1] With the men who had been among the country's leading political figures since the return of democracy barred from running, the campaign had a level of openness and unpredictability not common for African presidential elections.

The approved candidates included three serving members of Kérékou's government: Zul Kifl Salami, Antoine Dayori, and Kamarou Fassassi.

[3][4] Shortly after results were announced in mid-March, the government set the date for the second round between Boni and Houngbédji for 19 March.