Togo holds first-ever Senate elections despite opposition boycott

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – Togo conducted its inaugural Senate elections on Saturday, with 1,706 municipal and regional councilors casting votes to establish the nation's upper legislative chamber.

The historic event is part of constitutional reforms aimed at transitioning Togo to a bicameral parliamentary system.

The electorate comprised 1,527 municipal councilors and 179 regional councilors, who selected 41 senators from a pool of 92 candidates.

According to the law, the remaining 20 seats in the 61-member Senate will be appointed by President Faure Gnassingbe.

Elected senators will serve six-year terms with the possibility of re-election.

Several opposition parties in the West African nation boycotted the vote, criticizing the parliamentary reforms as a strategy for President Gnassingbe to maintain prolonged power.

Me Dodji Apevon, president of the opposition party Forces Democratiques pour la Republique (FDR), denounced the elections as predetermined.

Civil society groups have also slammed the process, alleging it was rigged in favor of the ruling party.

The establishment of the Senate fulfills a constitutional amendment from 2002, which introduced a bicameral parliament consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate.

Results are expected to be announced at a later date following the official counting and verification of votes.