Long lines formed across Benin Sunday as citizens cast their ballots for the West African country's next president, though results weren't expected for a few days, reported the dpa. Voters had their choice of a record 33 candidates. Across the country, thousands waited patiently to cast their vote. With President Thomas Boni Yayi ineligible for a third term, the election's front-runner is Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou. Zinsou, a dual French and Beninese citizen and member of the ruling party, has promised to invest in agriculture and create jobs. The Beninese economy is chiefly dependent on cotton, and around 36 per cent of the country's 11 million residents are classified as poor by the World Bank. Other top candidates in the elections include cotton magnate Patrice Talon, food industry businessman Sebastien Alavon, former premier Pascal Koupaki, and former International Monetary Fund director for Africa Abdoulaye Bio Tchane. About 4.6 million people were eligible to vote in the election, and results are expected within five days. If no candidate wins an outright majority, a run-off will be conducted on March 20.
