Togo held its first Senate elections on Saturday, with 1,706 municipal and regional councilors voting to establish the country’s upper legislative chamber.
This historic event is part of ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at creating a bicameral parliamentary system. The electorate, consisting of 1,527 municipal and 179 regional councilors, selected 41 senators from 92 candidates.
President Faure Gnassingbé will appoint the remaining 20 seats, completing the 61-member Senate. Elected senators will serve six-year terms, with the option for re-election.
Several opposition parties boycotted the vote, condemning the reforms as a power move by the president. Me Dodji Apevon, leader of the opposition party FDR, called the elections “predetermined.” Civil society groups also raised concerns about the process being rigged in favor of the ruling party.
The Senate’s creation fulfills a 2002 constitutional amendment that called for a bicameral parliament. Results will be announced after official counting and verification of votes.