A leading Togo opposition party has said it will refuse to take part in the country’s first elections for the senate, with the vote a key step towards implementing a contested new constitution.
Slated for February 2, the upper house polls are part of an overhaul abolishing the election of the head of state by universal suffrage and introducing a parliamentary system.
Opposition politicians and civil society leaders have slammed the new constitution as a ploy by President Faure Gnassingbe to hold on to power indefinitely.
“The National Alliance for Change (ANC) expresses its firm and deliberate rejection of the senatorial elections announced by the government,” the opposition party said in a statement on Saturday.
- SYRIA: ‘Turkey ready to provide military support to new govt’
- Refurbished 41-yr-old PHC handed over to Kaduna govt
“The last legislative and regional elections were marred by massive fraud and serious irregularities. In the absence of guarantees of transparency, independence and fairness, it is clear that the senatorial elections announced can only be a new masquerade,” the ANC added.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
