Ruptly
"Finance Minister and Benin presidential candidate Romuald Wadagni cast his vote on Sunday in Cotonou as voters headed to the polls to choose the country's next president, with outgoing leader Patrice Talon stepping down after a decade in power. Footage shows Wadagni leaving a polling station under tight security. Polling station staff were seen registering voters during a closely watched vote. Wadagni, widely seen as the frontrunner, has the backing of Talon and is campaigning on preserving the country's economic course after overseeing annual growth of more than six per cent as finance minister. His main challenger, Paul Hounkpe of the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin, has criticised the government's record, saying the country's economic growth has not improved residents' lives. As per media reports, turnout is expected to remain low despite nearly 8 million registered voters having the chance to cast their ballot at more than 17,000 polling stations in the West African nation. The elections mark the end of Talon's two-term presidency, following constitutional limits. Several major opposition figures were excluded due to strict endorsement requirements, fuelling debate over political pluralism in the country. The election comes after a failed coup in December 2025, with the campaign focusing on youth unemployment, healthcare reform and national sovereignty, amid rising concerns over alleged French influence and questions about electoral integrity."
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