Nearly nine million Beninese are called to vote on Sunday in legislative and municipal elections, a month after a failed coup attempt against President Patrice Talon, who will hand over power in a presidential election in April.

Neither the continuity of the State nor the electoral calendar were called into question during this attempted coup by a few soldiers on December 7, which was thwarted the same day.

Polling stations opened at 07:00 (06:00 GMT) on Sunday, calmly and without major delays in the economic capital Cotonou, according to AFP journalists.

"I come to vote early so as not to have to deal with the midday crowds with people leaving church," says Adéline Sonon, a 32-year-old restaurant owner, after fulfilling her civic duty at the Sainte Rita school in Cotonou.

The legislative elections, a single-round election, are intended to elect the 109 deputies who make up the National Assembly, and the presidential coalition, composed of three parties, hopes to strengthen its current majority there.

It holds 81 seats, compared to 28 for the main opposition party, the Democrats.

They are taking a big risk in this election because it is the only election in which they can participate: their candidacies for the municipal elections were rejected, as was that of their candidate for the presidential election in April, due to a lack of sufficient endorsements.

Another major challenge for this party, which has experienced internal divisions in recent months, is reaching the 20% threshold in each of the country's 24 electoral districts, a prerequisite for taking seats in the Assembly.

The campaign took place without large rallies, with most parties opting for grassroots strategies including door-to-door canvassing.

The previous legislative elections had low turnout, with participation rates of 27% and 37% respectively in 2019 and 2023.

On Sunday, voters are also called upon to choose their municipal councillors.

"All measures are being taken to guarantee a free, transparent and secure vote. No political ambition can justify violence or jeopardize national unity, a fundamental pillar of the country's development," said Sacca Lafia, president of the National Autonomous Electoral Commission (Cena), on Saturday.

The people of Benin will experience a busy election year with the presidential election in April, for which Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, designated successor to President Talon, is the overwhelming favorite.

The ten years of Talon's governance are regularly praised for the economic development experienced by Benin, with strong growth to support it, while his detractors criticize a restriction of political space and public freedoms.

Polling stations are due to close at 5:00 PM (4:00 PM GMT) on Sunday.