losing the first democratic polls in 1991 to Nicephore Soglo. The two faced off again in 1996, but Soglo boycotted a run-off vote in protest at alleged fraud, handing the presidency back to Kerekou, who won again in 2001 despite a scandal over illegal campaign funding from a U.S. defence firm. Kerekou and Soglo are barred from standing this time round because they are older than the 40 to 70-year age limit for candidates. There is also a constitutional two-term limit. "My candidate is a new face. We said we wanted change, so we must vote for change," said truck driver Zoumarou Karim, dressed in black jeans and a yellow shirt, after voting in Zongo.
