The ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) party in Togo has emerged victorious in the recent parliamentary elections, securing 108 out of 113 seats. This outcome has raised concerns among the opposition and religious leaders, who have rejected the election results. The vote tested support for a proposed new constitution that would eliminate presidential elections and grant lawmakers the power to choose the president. This new constitutional provision could potentially allow President Faure Gnassingbe, who has been in power since 2005, to stay in office until 2033.
Opposition parties have called for protests against the election results, arguing that the proposed new constitution favors President Gnassingbe’s continued rule beyond 2025 when his mandate expires. Togo has been under the rule of the Gnassingbe family for 57 years, starting with Eyadema Gnassingbe and then his son, Faure Gnassingbe. Faure Gnassingbe’s initial rise to power following elections that were criticized as fraudulent has further fueled opposition to his potential extension of tenure under the new constitution.
The election in Togo, which saw nearly half of the country’s 8.8 million citizens registered to vote, faced multiple delays due to controversies over the new legislation. With low voter turnout in some regions like the capital of Lome and much higher turnout in ruling party strongholds, concerns have been raised about the legitimacy of the election and whether it truly represents the will of the Togolese people. Opposition party spokesman Eric Dupuy likened the situation in Togo to that of North Korea, highlighting the lack of genuine opposition in the parliamentary vote.
Despite the ruling party’s overwhelming majority in the parliament, the rejection of the election results by the opposition and religious leaders signals ongoing political tensions in Togo. The opposition’s resistance to the proposed new constitution and concerns raised by analysts about the election not meeting voters’ expectations indicate a deepening divide within the country. As Togo navigates the aftermath of the election and prepares for potential protests, the future political landscape remains uncertain, with implications for the country’s democratic governance and stability.
