COTONOU, Benin — Benin’s parliament approved a constitutional reform extending presidential terms and creating a new legislative body, as the West African country is set to elect a new president next April.

The amendment, which was passed by a 90-19 vote at the National Assembly on Saturday, would extend presidential and lawmakers' terms from five to seven years. The two-term presidential limit remains unchanged.

It would also create a Senate that is expected to have between 25 and 30 members, including former heads of state and others appointed by the president. It would have the authority to request a second reading of laws passed by the lower house, with a few exceptions such as finance laws.

The reforms still have be approved by the Constitutional Court, and would come into effect a

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