10 Apr 2024 | 12:19 PM UTC
Togo: Opposition protests and campaign activities likely after officials announce election date for April 29 /update 2
Protests and campaign activities likely after officials announce election on April 29. Opposition gatherings April 11-13 are banned.
Opposition protests and campaign activities are likely after the government announced that legislative and regional elections would occur on April 29. The elections were initially scheduled for April 20. The campaign officially runs from 00:01 on April 13 through 23:59 on April 27.
Authorities have banned opposition protests scheduled April 11-13. Opposition groupings have stated that they will still demonstrate April 12-13 in response to recent constitutional changes and the postponement of the April 20 elections. In Lome, participants will gather at the Be Gakpoto roundabout from 08:00 before marching towards the Assemblees de Dieu church via Malfakassa Boulevard on both days.
Campaign activities will likely be well attended. Heightened security is likely near all public gatherings. Events are likely to cause road traffic and business disruptions. Clashes with security forces or opposing rival activists are possible. Claims of fraud in the aftermath of the results may also inflame tensions.
Allow extra time for travel amid the election period. Avoid all demonstrations due to possible clashes and polling stations on election day. If violence occurs nearby, immediately leave the area and seek shelter at a safe nongovernment building. Heed the instructions of authorities.
The postponement of the elections followed the adoption by parliament of a new constitution on March 25. The constitutional amendment transitions the country from a presidential to a parliamentary system. The chief of the parliament will be the leader of the majority party following legislative elections for a six-year term and de facto head of state. It is unclear when the amendments will come into effect.
President Faure Gnassingbe won re-election for a fourth term in February 2020 after taking more than 70 percent of the vote in presidential polls widely criticized by the opposition. The opposition boycotted the 2018 legislative election, enabling Gnassingbe's party to win the majority of seats. Gnassingbe's next political move remains unclear following the constitutional changes.
