Togo: Ruling Party Wins Election
Togo's governing party, the RPT has won a
majority of seats in the parliamentary elections held last
weekend.
The
national electoral commission in Lome, said the
RPT has so far won 49 of the 81 seats, with
the opposition UFC securing 21. The CAR party has four and
counting continues in seven.
Turnout for the polls was put at 95%.
All opposition parties took part for the first
time in almost two decades.
Secretary of the Togo People's Rally, RPT, Esso
Solitoki said: "This is a victory for the Togolese people who
voted massively. Together we shall rebuild this country."
Confirmation
EU observers said there had been no reports of
serious disturbances.
A report says the result was slightly unexpected
given that all the major opposition parties took part.
The RPT campaigned on the opening up and
reconciliation policy then pursued by Faure Gnassingbe.
A constitutional court must confirm the results
and can hear any legal challenges.
Opponents
The opposition has highlighted what it calls
numerous irregularities, but Togolese seem happy that for once
elections did not bring violence. Hundreds of people were killed
during the 2005 presidential election, won by current President
Faure Gnassingbe.
He replaced his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, the
founder of RPT who had ruled for 38 years.
Togolese leaders hope the poll will convince
foreign donors to resume aid after a suspension lasting 15
years.
BBC/YINKA
