"Voters in Cotonou on Sunday flocked to polling stations across Benin as country held parliamentary elections seen as a key test of the political transition following recent constitutional reforms. The vote takes place amid heightened security and follows an attempted military coup, with polling stations showing steady queues of voters casting their ballots and polling stations workers registering participants, as footage shows. "I would like to call on my compatriots to come out and vote," local resident Reine Gandemagnon said. "I have already voted, and I would like to ask the candidates to do everything possible to ensure peace in the country, create jobs for young people, and ensure that women can live in peace as well." Other voters echoed calls for calm and orderly voting as crowds gathered around polling centres. Vanessa Kpakpo, a polling station worker, said the process was unfolding without major disruption. "Everything is going well at the polling station," she said. "Voters are being properly guided, and for now everything is running smoothly." Among those casting ballots, Lawani Yacoubou stressed the moral responsibility of those seeking office. "Whoever takes a position must know that it is God who placed them there," he said, adding that leaders should govern with responsibility and integrity. "Not everyone is qualified to be a deputy or president, and those who are chosen must work with the fear of God." The elections feature five approved parties, including the bloc backing President Patrice Talon and a so-called systemic opposition linked to former president Thomas Boni Yayi. Recent opinion polls indicate that parties aligned with President Patrice Talon are leading with support estimated at around 55–60 percent, putting them on course to secure a constitutional majority in the National Assembly."