Lawmakers in Togo have adopted a new constitution which transitions the West African nation from a presidential to a parliamentary system.
One of the main changes brought by the new constitution is that lawmakers will elect the president of the republic for a single 6-year term.
It also introduced the position of “president of the council of ministers”. The person will have “full authority and power to manage the affairs of the government”.
The president of the council of ministers will either be “the leader of the party which secures the majority during the legislative elections “or the leader of the winning coalition of parties.
The president of the council of ministers will rule for a six-year term.
Lawmakers will be elected by universal, direct universal suffrage, secret for a renewable term of six years.
The new Constitution was partly passed by lawmakers whose mandate was set to expire late last year.
It is unclear when the changes will come into force.
The next parliamentary election will be held on April 20 concurrently with regional elections.
Some 4.2 million Togolese are registered to vote.
Togo’s recent history has been dominated by the Gnassingbe family which has ruled since 1967.
Source: Africafeeds.com
