[1] Incumbent President Yayi Boni ran for re-election against thirteen other candidates, including former National Assembly head and political veteran Adrien Houngbédji and Abdoulaye Bio-Tchané, president of the West African Development Bank.

It is the first time since the restoration of democracy in Benin that a candidate has won the presidency in a single round.

[3] Adrien Houngbédji, leader of the Democratic Renewal Party and runner-up to Boni in 2006, pledged to increase employment in the country's agriculture sector by investing 14 billion CFA francs ($28 million) in buying tractors and other heavy equipment for Beninese farmers.

He also pledged to create an agricultural bank and lower the national income tax.

Countrywide opposition protests were held amid shootings and strikes in Cotonou and other cities.