April 26, 2015
LOME, Togo (AP) — Togo's election officials added up results Sunday after voting in the presidential election that appeared to have a low turnout.
President Faure Gnassingbe is seeking a third term against four opposition challengers. Gnassingbe has been in power since 2005 when he succeeded his father, who died after 38 years in office. The family has ruled this West African nation for nearly 50 years.
Some 3.5 million people were registered to vote on Saturday, though the turnout was light in Lome, the capital. Counting at polling stations began after polls closed Saturday at 4 p.m. In Lome, opposition supporters gathered outside several stations, eager to observe the process and ensure no rigging took place.
Several supporters recalled Gnassingbe's first election in 2005, which was marred by serious allegations of fraud. At some polling stations that year, soldiers burst in and made off with ballot boxes.
"We came to follow the counting to expose those thieves that cheat us at every election," said 42-year-old Elise Awoussi. "This year, we'll ensure they'll have a hard time doing that." The leading opposition candidate also said he would be watching the process closely.
"We're keeping a cool head as we await the results, and then we'll see. I ask everyone to stay calm," Jean-Pierre Fabre said. "If the ruling party wants to try a coup, it won't work." The electoral commission officially has six days to announce the results although preliminary results are expected later Sunday.
LOME, Togo (AP) — Togo's election officials added up results Sunday after voting in the presidential election that appeared to have a low turnout.
President Faure Gnassingbe is seeking a third term against four opposition challengers. Gnassingbe has been in power since 2005 when he succeeded his father, who died after 38 years in office. The family has ruled this West African nation for nearly 50 years.
Some 3.5 million people were registered to vote on Saturday, though the turnout was light in Lome, the capital. Counting at polling stations began after polls closed Saturday at 4 p.m. In Lome, opposition supporters gathered outside several stations, eager to observe the process and ensure no rigging took place.
Several supporters recalled Gnassingbe's first election in 2005, which was marred by serious allegations of fraud. At some polling stations that year, soldiers burst in and made off with ballot boxes.
"We came to follow the counting to expose those thieves that cheat us at every election," said 42-year-old Elise Awoussi. "This year, we'll ensure they'll have a hard time doing that." The leading opposition candidate also said he would be watching the process closely.
"We're keeping a cool head as we await the results, and then we'll see. I ask everyone to stay calm," Jean-Pierre Fabre said. "If the ruling party wants to try a coup, it won't work." The electoral commission officially has six days to announce the results although preliminary results are expected later Sunday.
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