Togo: Faure Gnassingbé expected to be re-elected as President

Togo’s presidential election concluded Sunday, however, voter turnout appears to have been just over 50 percent, West African and local election observers have revealed.

No results have yet been published, but incumbent Faure Gnassingbé is widely expected to win another term.

The vote Gnassingbé against four challengers, led by Jean-Pierre Fabre.

ECOWAS, West Africa’s regional bloc, said its observer mission had not seen any incident that might undermine the vote and declared the process “free and fair”.

Election commission officials estimated late on Saturday a turnout of 50-55 percent, down from around 60-64 percent in previous votes.

A network of local observers said turnout was 52 percent in the polling stations they witnessed.

“Voting was calm and the polling stations worked for voters, even though there was a low turnout,” said Paul Amegakpo, the head of the CNSC civil society movement.

Amegakpo said some voters had struggled to find their names on lists at polling stations. Uncertainty over the process before election day probably also contributed to the low turnout.

Togo’s vote was delayed by 10 days – on request by the opposition parties.

Unlike many of its neighbors, Togo has no term limits in its constitution, meaning the incumbent is free to run for as many terms or until defeated.

Source: Reuters