Benin heads to polls a month after foiled coup attempt

President Patrice Talon's ruling coalition is expected to strengthen its already powerful hand in the ballots, with the main opposition Democrats party barred from the local polls.

The elections come at a fraught moment for Benin, still reeling from a deadly coup attempt by army mutineers on December 7, which was put down in a matter of hours by the military, with support from Nigeria and France.

The streets of economic capital Cotonou were calm as polling stations opened at 7:00 am local time (0600 GMT), AFP reporters said.

"I'm coming to vote early so I don't have to deal with the midday crowds after church," said restaurateur Adeline Sonon, 32, after casting her ballot.

The single-round legislative polls will elect the 109 seats in the National Assembly, where Talon's three-party bloc hopes to strengthen its majority.

The Democrats, only running in the parliamentary races, risk ceding ground to the ruling coalition, which currently holds 81 seats.

Some observers say the opposition may lose all 28 seats, given the current electoral law requiring parties to gather support from 20 percent of registered voters in each of the country's 24 voting districts to stand for parliament.

The campaign unfolded without large rallies, with most parties opting for grassroots strategies like door-to-door canvassing.

"All measures have been taken to guarantee a free, transparent and secure vote. No political ambition can justify violence or endanger national unity," head of the electoral commission (CENA), Sacca Lafia, said on Saturday.

The legislative elections are set to define the political landscape ahead of April's presidential polls, with the opposition struck off the ballot.

While Talon, 67, who is nearing the end of his second five-year term, is barred from running in April's elections, his hand-picked successor, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is a strong favourite to win.

Talon has presided over strong economic development across his nearly a decade in power, but critics accuse him of restricting political opposition and basic rights.

Polls are scheduled to close at 5:00 pm (0400 GMT) on Sunday.