Togo is holding parliamentary elections on Thursday amid tension and a boycott from 14 opposition political parties.
Preparations for the legislative elections have been overshadowed by protests and security crackdowns.
There have been several arrests across Togo’s cities before Thursday’s vote. Opposition protesters have been demanding that President Faure Gnassingbe steps down.
The protesters were also demanding reforms ahead of the elections. They allege of attempts to conduct an election full of “irregularities”.
Togo’s main opposition coalition which is boycotting the elections is unhappy with conditions set out for the polls.
Je me sens utiles en posant cet acte.
Ai-je voté #Unir, #opposition ou #blanc ? Quel que soit mon choix, j’ai voté.Voter donne un sens à la droiture et au patriotisme.#Togo #ElectionsTg2018 pic.twitter.com/uon6jstQQZ
— Dodji Moïse Mafongoun (@moise_dodji) December 20, 2018
The agitation from the opposition coalition follows the decision by Togo’s Constitutional Court to exclude the 14-party opposition coalition that staged protests against President Gnassingbe.
Les élections législatives, c’est aussi le vote des personnalités. Et c’est à Togoville précisément dans le village de Badougbé que Madame Victoire Dogbé, Directrice de cabinet du Président de la République a voté.#ElectionsTg2018 #Togo pic.twitter.com/9yWESB4jaP
— Puis Kodjo (@KodjoPuis) December 20, 2018
The Gnassingbe family has been ruling the country for over 50 years now. Demands for current president, Faure Gnassingbe who took over from his father in 2005 has been met with security crackdown.
The Togolese President took over from his father Eyadema in 2005 after he died while in power for 38 years. He has since won elections in 2005, 2010 and 2015.
Source: Africafeeds.com
