Staff members count ballots at a polling station in Cotonou, Benin, April 12, 2026. Vote counting for the first round of Benin's presidential election began Sunday following the closure of polling stations, Xinhua observed in Cotonou, the country's economic capital. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

COTONOU, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Vote counting for the first round of Benin's presidential election began Sunday following the closure of polling stations, Xinhua observed in Cotonou, the country's economic capital.

According to the electoral code, all polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) and closed at 4 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Sunday, after which the counting process started automatically.

"The general trends of this election will be announced within 48 hours after the closure of polling stations," said Sacca Lafia, president of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission, the body responsible for organizing elections in Benin.

Nearly 7.9 million registered voters cast their ballots in the first round of the presidential election to choose a successor to President Patrice Talon, whose term will expire on May 23.

Two pairs of candidates contested the election: Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni and his running mate Mariam Chabi Talata of the ruling coalition, and Paul Hounkpe and Rock Hounwanou of the opposition party Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin. ■

Staff members count ballots at a polling station in Cotonou, Benin, April 12, 2026. Vote counting for the first round of Benin's presidential election began Sunday following the closure of polling stations, Xinhua observed in Cotonou, the country's economic capital. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

Staff members count ballots at a polling station in Cotonou, Benin, April 12, 2026. Vote counting for the first round of Benin's presidential election began Sunday following the closure of polling stations, Xinhua observed in Cotonou, the country's economic capital. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

Staff members count ballots at a polling station in Cotonou, Benin, April 12, 2026. Vote counting for the first round of Benin's presidential election began Sunday following the closure of polling stations, Xinhua observed in Cotonou, the country's economic capital. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

Staff members count ballots at a polling station in Cotonou, Benin, April 12, 2026. Vote counting for the first round of Benin's presidential election began Sunday following the closure of polling stations, Xinhua observed in Cotonou, the country's economic capital. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

Staff members count ballots at a polling station in Cotonou, Benin, April 12, 2026. Vote counting for the first round of Benin's presidential election began Sunday following the closure of polling stations, Xinhua observed in Cotonou, the country's economic capital. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)