Ballots opened across Benin on Sunday as the country begins the search for a new president, closing the chapter on a decade under Patrice Talon. His time in office leaves behind a complicated record shaped by strong economic gains, rising insecurity in the north, and persistent accusations of political repression.

At the center of the race is Romuald Wadagni, the long-serving finance minister widely viewed as Talon’s preferred successor. The 49-year-old faces a lone challenger, Paul Hounkpè, in what is effectively a two-man contest for a single seven-year mandate.

Close to eight million voters are registered nationwide, casting ballots at more than 17,000 polling stations. With a population that crossed 15 million in 2024 and a strong youth majority, turnout remains a key variable. Voting is scheduled to end at 4 p.m., with results expected within two days.

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Early signs from Cotonou suggest a subdued process. Polling centres saw light traffic through the morning, reflecting a broader trend of declining voter participation in recent cycles. The city itself remained calm, with election-day protests prohibited, though daily life continued with shops open and streets active, the AP reported.

The political landscape appears heavily tilted. Following January’s parliamentary vote, opposition parties failed to meet the 20 percent threshold required to enter the legislature, leaving Talon-aligned groups in full control of all 109 seats in the National Assembly. That outcome has reinforced expectations among analysts that Wadagni is firmly on track for victory.

The opposition’s constraints were further highlighted by the exclusion of Renaud Agbodjo, who was unable to secure the endorsements needed to run. Critics argue such requirements have been structured to limit competition.

Wadagni has leaned heavily on his economic record, pointing to consistent growth figures as proof of competence. The economy expanded by 7 percent last year, positioning Benin among the more stable performers in the region.

“Ten years at the Finance Ministry have given him something rare in African politics: a quantified record — verifiable and difficult to dismantle in a serious debate,” said Fiacre Vidjingninou, political analyst at the Lagos-based Béhanzin Institute.

Despite its reputation as a democratic stronghold in West Africa, Benin’s political climate has drawn increasing scrutiny. Groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly raised concerns over what they describe as a sustained clampdown on dissent, citing arrests, tighter protest controls, and pressure on independent media.

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Economic frustrations have also surfaced. Demonstrations linked to the rising cost of living have emerged in recent years, though authorities have moved quickly to contain them.

Looking ahead, analysts believe continuity is the most likely outcome if Wadagni prevails. Beverly Ochieng of the Control Risks Group told The Associated Press that the incoming administration would likely preserve existing economic policies while navigating a weakened opposition.

“Wadagni may want to avert a crisis in confidence by first consolidating power then engaging in dialogue with opponents to demonstrate goodwill,” Ochieng said.

Security remains another unresolved front. A failed coup attempt in December underscored tensions within the military and broader concerns about governance across the region, where similar takeovers have followed disputed elections and worsening instability.

Much of that instability is concentrated in northern Benin, where violence has spilled over from neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. Armed groups linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin have expanded their footprint in the tri-border zone, an area increasingly strained by limited cross-border security cooperation as both neighboring states remain under military rule.

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