Complex sentence: He placed third in the previous two elections of 1996 and 2001, and an article in the constitution excluding Kérékou and Soglo from the race made Houngbédji a favorite for the 2006 presidential election.
Split into simpler sentences: He placed third in the last two elections of 1996 and 2001. An article in the constitution excluding Kérékou and Soglo from the race made Houngbédji a favorite for the 2006 presidential election.