Togo Postpones Parliamentary Elections Indefinitely

For a second time this year, Togo has postponed its parliamentary and regional elections. Originally scheduled for earlier this month, the polls were moved to April 20, and have now been postponed indefinitely, a statement from the country's presidency, said.

According to the statement, the widespread criticism of the constitution change is the major reason for the election postponement. The change, which 89 of 91 MPs voted in favor of, has been sent to parliament for a review.

“The National Assembly wished to have some days to engage in broad consultations with all stakeholders,” the statement says, adding, “Consequently, the government will conduct a slight rearrangement of the calendar of legislative and regional elections initially scheduled for April 20.”

This postponement is on the heels of a major constitution reform that gives parliament the power to elect the country’s president. The change was met with widespread criticism, with opposition leaders claiming that it was another ploy for President Faure Gnassingbé’s, who has been in office for 19 years, to remain in power. Gnassingbé replaced his father Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who ruled the West African country for 38 years until his death in 2005.

The constitution change almost guarantees another 6-year term for Gnassingbé, if parliament elects his as president. This stretches his time in office, even if it means the role will be a ceremonial one after his current term ends. Although he is eligible to contest in next year’s presidential election for a final term, Gnassingbé has become widely unpopular among voters.

“This is being done to avoid direct voting for the president, because the person holding power knows very well that it will be difficult to continue to cheat and tamper with presidential elections,” opposition leader Brigitte Adjamagbo-Johnson told RFI. “He was never elected, you know, and he knows that the Togolese people are lying in wait for him in the next election.”

In the last parliamentary elections, opposition parties boycotted the polls, citing lack of transparency. With only the ruling party represented in parliament, the proposed change passed easily, and there are currently no indicators as to whether it will be reversed.