Togo municipal elections: Calm, peaceful campaigns wrap up.

The positive remarks shared by several observers, were confirmed on the eve of the vote on Tuesday July 15, with the end of the major rallies and popular gatherings from contending political parties and independent candidates. 

Opposition political parties, it should be said, had hesitated joining the campaign race, citing "crisis context" due to what they had qualified as an atmosphere of social tensions, added to calls for election boycott. 

The momentum of the campaigns steadily rose in a week as the ruling Union for the Republic, UNIR party, made inroads across the 117 different municipalities. 

Contending opposition parties that were reluctant to enter the campaign trail, later fully got into action. 

Other key political actors who were also hesitant, equally brushed aside calls to postpone the election, which many observers had considered ‘inappropriate’, given the progress of the electoral process.

The peaceful campaigns came in the wake of repeated calls for responsibility and appeasement, ahead of the polls.   

The Youth Collective for Development, CJD, and several civil society organisations, had on Monday July 14, issued a solemn appeal for calm and restraint, stressing the importance of preserving stability to ensure the country's economic attractiveness.

Such calls were followed by the successful organisation of early voting, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, CENI, exclusively for defence and security forces to enable them guarantee safety on election day. 

UNIR party woos voters 

The ruling Union for the Republic, UNIR party, faced with the hesitation by the opposition during campaigns, took to the field from the outset. 

The party held strategic meetings, caravans and door-to-door campaigns, canvassing for votes. 

The party sustained mobilisation throughout the country. 

Backed by a well-organised support base, candidates of the ruling party focused their message on peace, national unity, social cohesion, continuity and local development. 

For many analysts, the procrastination of certain opposition forces could cost them dearly at the ballot box, as UNIR party had already taken advantage to make strategic inroads. 

Others say the lack of a clear mobilisation and ambiguous speeches from some opposition politicians and candidates risk demotivating the electorate, opening up a boulevard of victory for UNIR party in several municipalities. 

Gov’t allocates campaign funds 

In terms of logistics and to ensure a level playing field for all actors, the Togolese government released a budget of 500 million FCFA to support political parties and independent candidates. 

The allocation was based on a mechanism combining equality and performance, with 65% of the amount shared equally. The remaining 35% will be shared after election results, based on the number of votes obtained (from 10% upwards). 

The electoral deposit, set at 50,000 FCFA, was also reduced to 25,000 FCFA for female candidates. The move, officials explained, was an incentive to promote parity. The July 17 election is to renew the country’s 1,527 municipal councillors in the 117 municipalities.

By Doh Bertrand on special assignment in Lome, Togo