Benin’s Presidential Elections Today: Finance Minister vs Former Culture Chief

Abubakar Hashim

About 7.8 million registered voters out of Benin’s 14 million population will cast their votes today, April 12, 2026, for either of the two leading candidates: current Finance Minister, Romuald Wadagni, and former Culture Minister, Paul Hounkpè.

Either candidate will succeed the current President, Patrice Talon, who is completing his final tenure.

ECOWAS has sent a strong observer delegation, headed by former Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Others include Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, who is serving as head of the technical support team for the elections; Ambassador Lene Dimban, representing the ECOWAS Permanent Representative Committee; and Ambassador Ahmadou Diongue, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin.

Reports from the 125 ECOWAS observers in the field indicate a slow start, due to voter fatigue and today’s Sunday church services.

ECOWAS has placed a premium on the success of today’s elections in Benin to ensure a smooth democratic transition, especially in light of the attempted coup a few months ago in Benin and the string of coups across the West African region.