Voters in Benin go to polls to elect new president

A voter casting his ballot (AFP)

Cotonou (IINA) — Polls opened in Benin on Sunday for an election to choose a successor to President Thomas Boni Yayi, who is stepping down after serving two terms in office.
Citizens lined up Sunday to choose among 33 candidates vying for the post. The electoral commission said more than 4.7 million voters are expected to cast their ballots at about 13,600 polling stations.
Benin's constitution imposes a two-term limit on presidential candidates. President Thomas Boni Yayi is not running, in contrast to some other African leaders who are changing their countries' constitutions to remain in power, according to Associated Press.
Favored candidates include Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou and Cotonou mayor Adrien Houngbedji. Businessman Patrice Talon, who made his fortune in Benin's main export of cotton, is also in the fray. He went into exile in France, but returned in October.
AB/IINA

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service - if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.