COTONOU — The counting of votes for the first round of Benin's presidential election began on Sunday following the closure of polling stations, Xinhua News Agency observed in Cotonou, the country's economic capital.

All the polling stations opened at 7 am and closed at 4 pm on Sunday, after which the counting process began.

"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 holding 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 ends on May 23.

According to the electoral code, the country's president and vice-president are elected through direct universal suffrage for a seven-year term.

Two pairs of candidates are contesting in 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.

Wadagni has touted the country's economic growth during his decade as finance minister as his key strength. Benin's economy grew 7 percent last year, making it one of West Africa's steadiest performers. If no candidate secures an absolute majority in the first round, a runoff will be held on May 10.

Across polling stations visited by Xinhua in Cotonou and surrounding areas, voting was reported to be proceeding smoothly and peacefully.

"According to information from polling stations across the country, voting operations effectively started on time," said Armand Bognon, a member of a civil society platform that deployed 1,721 observers nationwide, including 1,200 at fixed posts and 521 mobile ones.

The voter turnout, however, remained relatively low in the morning and around midday, with citizens arriving late to cast their ballots. In many polling stations, attendance was described as moderate, with some voters choosing to attend Sunday's religious service before heading to vote.

Talon cast his ballot at a polling station in Cotonou. Speaking to the media, the outgoing president expressed his satisfaction with the peaceful and friendly atmosphere surrounding the election.

"Since last November and December, we have witnessed an electoral process aimed at renewing the country's political leadership at legislative, municipal and presidential levels. What I have observed is not only an extraordinary atmosphere, but also one marked by fraternity and conviviality," he said.

"This gives us confidence that Benin is evolving and reaching a new stage in its history," Talon said."Whoever wins this election will take the country even further. For me, the best is yet to come."

XINHUA-AGENCIES