Togo has delayed its first senatorial elections to February 15 to allow political actors more preparation time. The elections are part of the implementation of a controversial new constitution that has been criticized heavily by the opposition. Some parties have requested the delay to register candidates, but key opposition groups, including the ANC, plan to boycott the elections, viewing them as part of a political maneuver by President Faure Gnassingbé.
The government of Togo has announced a postponement of the nation’s inaugural senatorial elections to February 15. This decision, conveyed through a presidential decree released on Friday evening, aims to provide political stakeholders with additional time for organizational preparations. The official campaign period is set to commence on January 30.
These elections mark a critical milestone in the execution of a newly drafted constitution, which has faced considerable opposition from various civil society groups and political factions. Several parties requested the delay to facilitate the candidate registration process. However, significant opposition movements, notably the National Alliance for Change (ANC), have declared their intention to boycott the elections, regarding them as part of a broader “constitutional coup d’état.”
Established under a constitutional amendment in 2002, the Senate has yet to be operational. The proposed Senate will consist of 61 members, of which 41 will be elected by regional and municipal councils, while the remaining seats will be filled by appointments from the president of the Council of Ministers. The newly instituted constitution has invited criticism, perceived as a maneuver for President Faure Gnassingbé to maintain his grip on power indefinitely. Since assuming presidency in 2005, succeeding his father, who had a 38-year rule, Gnassingbé remains at the helm of the ruling party, UNIR, which claimed 108 of the 113 legislative seats in the April 2024 elections.
The developments surrounding these elections and the new constitutional framework reflect the ongoing tensions in Togo’s political landscape, as debates about democratic integrity and governance intensify.
Togo has recently been navigating significant political shifts, particularly with the introduction of a new constitution aimed at redefining the political structure. The constitutional changes, which replace the direct election of the president with a parliamentary system, have provoked significant backlash from opposition groups who view these changes as undemocratic and a means for President Gnassingbé to extend his power beyond reasonable limits. The upcoming Senate elections, a first for the country, represent a pivotal moment in the transition to this new constitutional framework and reveal the fractures within Togo’s political community. The delay in the elections indicates the influence of opposition parties and the necessity for sufficient candidate representation. With key parties approaching the elections from a standpoint of boycott, the legitimacy of the electoral process stands challenged, raising concerns about the democratic environment in the country.
The rescheduling of Togo’s inaugural senatorial elections underscores the contention surrounding the implementation of a new constitution and highlights the complexities within the nation’s political landscape. With criticism from opposition factions and a significant boycott announced, the inevitability of these elections remains uncertain. The situation reflects profound implications for Togo’s democratic processes, emphasizing the need for continued scrutiny and engagement from civil society to foster a genuinely representative political environment.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
