Togo’s ruling party, led by President Faure Gnassingbé, secured 34 of the 41 Senate seats contested in a recent election, according to provisional results released on Sunday.
The election, held on Saturday, saw 1,706 municipal and regional lawmakers elect the new Senate, marking the final step in the establishment of a new constitution championed by Gnassingbé. The changes are part of a broader reform process in the West African country of 9 million people.
Opposition parties largely boycotted the election, strongly criticizing the constitutional reforms. Under the new changes, elections for the head of state will be abolished, with the power instead transferring to a newly created position, the president of the council, who will be appointed by the ruling party.
Gnassingbé has been in power since 2005, following the death of his father, and critics argue that these reforms will only further consolidate his control. Under the previous constitution, Gnassingbé was allowed to run for one final term in 2025.
His Union for the Republic party had already claimed a decisive victory in April’s legislative elections, winning 108 out of 111 seats. With the Senate now complete, lawmakers from both chambers will vote to elect the president of the council. Additionally, 20 Senate seats will be appointed by the prime minister.
Foreign media were not accredited to cover the Senate election, as was also the case for the legislative vote.
AFP
