January 11, 2026 l Reporter: Johnson
COTONOU, Benin — Citizens across Benin republic went to the polls on Sunday for parliamentary and local elections just one month after a failed coup attempt shook the West African nation, underscoring deep political tensions ahead of the 2026 presidential race.
The elections held three months before presidential voting scheduled for April were conducted under an atmosphere of heightened political sensitivity, following a mutiny by army officers on Dec. 7, 2025, that was swiftly suppressed with support from regional partners including Nigeria and France.
President Patrice Talon, who is nearing the end of his second and final constitutionally permitted term, urged citizens to “do their duty” as he cast his ballot, calling for civic participation despite the fraught national mood. Benin’s legislative body, comprising 109 seats, is at stake in this vote, with Talon’s ruling coalition widely expected to strengthen its majority.
The main opposition Democrats party was barred from participating in the local elections, and under current electoral laws the party also risked exclusion from legislative races due to strict signature requirements that demand parties secure endorsements from 20 per cent of registered voters in each of the country’s 24 districts. Analysts say this could leave the opposition with minimal or no representation in parliament.
While Talon is prohibited from running for a third term, his chosen successor, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is considered the frontrunner for the presidency. Critics of the ruling government have decried restrictions on political participation and opposition activity in the lead-up to the vote, although authorities maintain the process has been organised to ensure a peaceful and transparent ballot.
Reports from economic capital Cotonou described polling stations opening calmly, with grassroots campaigns emphasizing door-to-door engagement in the absence of large rallies. Sacca Lafia, head of the electoral commission, said electoral authorities had implemented measures “to guarantee a free, transparent and secure vote,” and pledged that violence would be prevented to protect national unity.
Observers say the outcome of Sunday’s elections will significantly shape Benin’s political trajectory leading into April’s presidential contest, potentially reinforcing the ruling coalition’s dominance but also deepening concerns about political inclusion and democratic space in the country.