Low Turnout Marks Early Hours of Benin Presidential Election

Voter turnout was slow in the early hours of Sunday’s presidential election in Benin, as citizens gradually arrived at polling units to elect a successor to outgoing President Patrice Talon.

At polling stations in Cotonou visited by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Observation Mission, electoral officials were seen waiting with minimal voter presence shortly after voting commenced.

At EPP 03 polling unit in Cadjehoun, officials reported arriving as early as 5:00 a.m., while the first voter, a 68-year-old woman, cast her ballot at 7:20 a.m.

The unit has 580 registered voters. Similarly, at another polling unit in the Charles Guillot voting centre in Zongo, only two voters had cast their ballots by 7:40 a.m.

The Head of the ECOWAS Observation Mission, Nana Akufo-Addo, who led a delegation to monitor the process, noted a calm and orderly environment but pointed to low voter enthusiasm in the early stages of the exercise.

His delegation included senior ECOWAS officials such as Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, alongside other representatives of the regional body.

Observers reported that while the process appeared peaceful and well-organised, turnout remained low across several polling centres visited. Electoral officials, however, expressed optimism that participation would improve later in the day, noting that many voters might attend church services before heading to vote.

The election features key contenders including Romuald Wadagni, candidate of the ruling coalition, and opposition flag-bearer Paul Hounkpè, a former minister under ex-President Yayi Boni.

According to the country’s electoral commission, over 7.8 million registered voters are expected to participate across more than 17,000 polling units nationwide and in the diaspora.

ECOWAS observers are expected to continue monitoring the process throughout the day, including the close of voting and collation of results, amid hopes for a peaceful and transparent election outcome.