Over 40 million Togolese voters were called to the polls on July 17 to elect 1,527 municipal councilors across the country’s 117 municipalities.
Nearly 500 party and independent lists participated in the elections, which were held in a tense atmosphere marked by ongoing street protests led by the M66 (June 6 Movement), a collective of artists and bloggers demanding President Faure Gnassingbé’s resignation.
Despite a generally calm voting process, local media and observers reported low voter turnout across much of the country, with some polling stations in Lomé recording fewer than 20 percent participation.
The elections unfolded against a backdrop of growing political discontent, sparked by the newly adopted constitution that transitions Togo from a presidential to a parliamentary system. Protesters, including the “Don’t Touch My Constitution” Front, have criticized the reforms as a power consolidation tactic by the Gnassingbé regime, which has ruled for 58 years through father and son.
Preliminary counting showed only a few political groupings, notably the ruling UNIR party, ANC, and DMP, making significant inroads. Final results are expected within 72 hours, pending validation by the national electoral commission.
