Vote counting commenced across Benin on Sunday after polling stations closed in the country’s combined legislative and municipal elections. Polls opened nationwide at 7:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) and, in line with the newly enacted Electoral Code, voting lasted ten hours, ending at 5:00 p.m. local time.
In Cotonou and other parts of the country, ballot counting began immediately after the close of polls, with provisional results transmitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission. National radio reported a calm electoral process, marked by peaceful voting and strong turnout in several areas.
The elections were conducted under the watchful presence of observers from ECOWAS, Beninese civil society groups, and representatives of contesting political parties. Approximately 7.8 million registered voters, across more than 17,000 polling stations, participated in the exercise to elect 109 members of the National Assembly and 1,815 municipal and communal councillors, setting the course for Benin’s next phase of governance.