Benin is heading into a pivotal presidential election, with Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed outgoing President Patrice Talon. Wadagni's candidacy comes after nearly a decade of implementing Talon's economic agenda, but the election is taking place under complex conditions, marked by security threats in the north, a recent attempted coup, and concerns over the shrinking space for political opposition. As voters prepare to head to the polls, questions remain about the credibility, competitiveness, and broader implications of this election for democracy in Benin. Mpho Sithole spoke to Tendai Mbanje, Governance and Elections Expert at the University of Pretoria