Togo’s Historic Senate Elections Held Amidst Opposition Boycotts and Protests
Togo held its inaugural senatorial elections this Saturday amid protests from opposition parties that boycotted the event. Concerns persist about President Gnassingbé’s potential consolidation of power through constitutional amendments that redefine the presidency’s role. While some parties participated, others condemned the process as undemocratic, raising questions about the financial viability and legitimacy of the newly established Senate.
Togo conducted its first-ever senatorial elections on Saturday, where municipal and regional councillors cast their votes amidst opposition protests and concerns over President Faure Gnassingbé’s potential power consolidation through constitutional amendments. Various opposition parties opted to boycott the elections, and civil society organizations condemned the parliamentary changes, calling the electoral process fraudulent.
The newly established constitution transitions from direct presidential elections to a parliamentary system, transforming the head of state role to a largely ceremonial position. Consequently, executive power shifts to the president of the Council of Ministers, a position currently occupied by Gnassingbé, who has been in power since 2005, succeeding his father’s 38-year regime.
Under the prior constitution, Gnassingbé could have run for only one final presidential term in the upcoming elections scheduled for later this year. The recent vote involved over 1,500 municipal councillors and 179 regional councillors electing 41 senators from 89 candidates, with an additional 20 senators to be appointed by the president of the Council of Ministers, essentially by Gnassingbé himself.
Polling opened at 7:00 am and concluded at 4:00 pm. “It’s a new constitution that we have never tested… to see the sides that are not good and to appreciate the rest,” remarked municipal councillor Vimenyo Koffi, who voted early in Lomé. While the Alliance of Democrats for Integral Development (ADDI) participated, the National Alliance for Change (ANC) and the Democratic Forces for the Republic (FDR) condemned the process, referring to it as a “constitutional coup d’état.”
Earlier this week, the ANC explicitly rejected the elections, characterizing them as an attack on democracy and stating that the process aims to create an illegal government. The FDR termed the elections a ”parody” and criticized the Senate establishment as a financial burden during a period of inadequate resources for local governmental needs. Gnassingbé’s supporters claim the revisions will improve political representation.
Togo’s first senatorial elections occurred amidst significant opposition protests, with concerns surrounding President Gnassingbé’s potential for constitutional power expansion. The new constitutional arrangements have shifted power dynamics, leading many opposition groups to boycott and label the process undemocratic. While the ruling party supports the changes, opposition voices highlight serious flaws and financial implications amid prevailing local deficits.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
