Collected photo

COTONOU, Benin, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Beninese voters headed to the polls 
Sunday in crucial parliamentary and local elections, just one month after a 
failed coup plot shook the west African country.

President Patrice Talon's ruling coalition is expected to strengthen its 
already powerful hand in the ballots, with the main opposition Democrats 
party barred from the local polls.

The elections come at a fraught moment for Benin, still reeling from a deadly 
coup attempt by army mutineers on December 7, which was put down in a matter 
of hours by the military, with support from Nigeria and France.

The streets of economic capital Cotonou were calm as polling stations opened 
at 7:00 am local time (0600 GMT), AFP reporters said.

"I'm coming to vote early so I don't have to deal with the midday crowds 
after church," said restaurateur Adeline Sonon, 32, after casting her ballot.

The single-round legislative polls will elect the 109 seats in the National 
Assembly, where Talon's three-party bloc hopes to strengthen its majority.

The Democrats, only running in the parliamentary races, risk ceding ground to 
the ruling coalition, which currently holds 81 seats.

Some observers say the opposition may lose all 28 seats, given the current 
electoral law requiring parties to gather support from 20 percent of 
registered voters in each of the country's 24 voting districts to stand for 
parliament.

The campaign unfolded without large rallies, with most parties opting for 
grassroots strategies like door-to-door canvassing.

"All measures have been taken to guarantee a free, transparent and secure 
vote. No political ambition can justify violence or endanger national unity," 
head of the electoral commission (CENA), Sacca Lafia, said on Saturday.

The legislative elections are set to define the political landscape ahead of 
April's presidential polls, with the opposition struck off the ballot.

While Talon, 67, who is nearing the end of his second five-year term, is 
barred from running in April's elections, his hand-picked successor, Finance 
Minister Romuald Wadagni, is a strong favourite to win.

Talon has presided over strong economic development across his nearly a 
decade in power, but critics accuse him of restricting political opposition 
and basic rights.

Polls are scheduled to close at 5:00 pm (0400 GMT) on Sunday.