Togo Postpones April Elections Over Political Reforms

Togo’s government on Wednesday postponed April 20 legislative elections until a yet to be disclosed later date, shortly after lawmakers approved highly contested constitutional reform.

“Consultations” were needed, the presidency said in a statement issued, about the amendment in March that triggered opposition claims the reforms intended to keep President Faure Gnassingbe in power in the West African nation with a population of nine million.

In office since 2005 after succeeding his father who seized the presidency in a coup 50 years ago, Gnassingbe has won every election though the opposition has claimed results were marred by irregularities.

After a week of tensions over the reform, Gnassingbe sent the law back to the National Assembly for a second reading with the opposition claiming a power grab to keep him in office longer.

“The National Assembly wished to have some days to engage in broad consultations with all stakeholders,” the statement read.

“Consequently, the government will conduct a slight rearrangement of the calendar of legislative and regional elections initially scheduled for April 20.”

The statement did not however give a new date for the ballot.