The main opposition candidate in the presidential election of Togo has accused election authorities of setting up fake polling stations during Saturday’s election to turn the result in favor of incumbent President Faure Gnassingbe reported Africa News.
Agbeyome Kodjo, former prime minister and head of the national assembly, made the accusation against President Gnassingbe whose is most likely to win the election and extend his 15 years in office, and his family’s rule of more than half a century.
“I think that if the CENI (Independent National Electoral Commission) rectifies the irregularities we denounce, there is no reason why we should not pass the first round”, Kodjo said.
The provisional results suggest that Mr. Gnassingbe has won a fourth term. Early on Monday, the Togo electoral commission said that Mr. Gnassingbé had received 72% of the vote, while Mr. Kodjo had got about 18% of the vote.
Mr. Kodjo also accused the authorities of ballot stuffing and getting people to cast multiple votes in the incumbent president’s favor. However, he said he is optimistic about his victory in the election.
“Somehow, the current president himself and his government are aware that they have been defeated. I am convinced that in the coming weeks I will be running this country”, the opposition leader added.
The Togo government also recently expelled a U.S.-based organization that promotes democratic principles and observes elections.
President Gnassingbe’s supporters are hoping their leader to win a fourth term. He became president in 2005 after the death of his father, Eyadema Gnassingbe, who led the country for 38 years after seizing power in a coup in 1967.
Last month, some changes were made in the constitution of Togo to allow Gnassingbe to contest the election again this year. As per the current law, Gnassingbé could remain in office until 2030, if re-elected. Although it limits presidential mandate to two five-year terms, the law does not take into account the three terms Gnassingbe has already served.
