Togolese vote new municipal councillors today.

A total of 4,637,998 Togolese are expected to turn out at 12,541 polling stations, to vote 1,527 new municipal councillors, who will give fresh meaning to the West African nation’s local development drive in 117 municipalities. Initially billed for July 10, 2025, the highly anticipated election was postponed to today, following waves of socio-economic protests and calls for boycott from civil society and opposition political actors. 

But with repeated calls from across different associations for compatriots to give peace and national cohesion a chance, an atmosphere of calm and serenity now reigns across the country on the eve of voting. 

“I will vote tomorrow. We have to vote in order to determine those who immediately attend to our needs at the level of the councils,” a resident of Lome, Kolani Akakpo, told The Guardian Post. 

Another Togolese, who wished to be identified simply as Bernard, told The Guardian Post that with the assurance of security by authorities, he is ready to come out and cast his vote tomorrow.

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Togo's elections management body, Independent National Electoral Commission, CENI, and the country's defence and security forces, have also assured citizens of total serenity throughout the voting process.

Political parties and independent candidates vying for the elections successfully rounded up a 15-day campaign at midnight on Tuesday, July 15. The campaigns unfolded without any major hitch.

A total of 500 lists with 82 candidacies, have been retained by the Independent National Electoral Commission, CENI, and validated by the Administrative Bench of the Supreme Court. 

The lists represent 19 political parties, one group of independent candidates, 53 independents candidates, nine groups of political parties actively involved in the political landscape in Togo.

The 1,527 new municipal councillors to be voted today, will then decide on those to be elected within the 117 council areas as mayors and deputies for a six-year term. 

Defence and security forces, it should be said, had set the tone for the municipal elections, with early voting on Monday July 14. This was in accordance with the timetable established by CENI. 

The move, CENI boss, Yago Dabré, had explained, is essentially aimed at guaranteeing serenity during the voting. 

Borders shut ahead of polls

In order to ensure all unfolds without hitches, Togolese authorities taken series of measures to ensure adequate vigilance.

In a joint statement published this Tuesday, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Decentralisation and Customary Chieftainship, Colonel Hodabalo Awaté, and the Minister of Security and Civil Protection, Calixte Batossie Madjoulba, announced the closure of all the country’s land borders on election day.

The officials said the move aims to “optimise the security of the voting process”.

“Respecting this measure is essential to ensure serenity, social cohesion, peace, and security during this important democratic rendezvous for local life,” the statement detailed. 

The authorities have urged citizens, travellers, and border users to show understanding and to strictly respect the measure for the sake of peace and social cohesion.

Weeks earlier, government authorities had also in an outing warned against the spread of fake news and proliferation of content inciting revolt ahead of the municipal elections. 

“It is time for imaginary assessments and baseless claims to stop. These methods hinder development and divide unnecessarily," Togo’s Minister in charge of Security, Calixte Madjoulba, had said.

By Doh Bertrand Nua on special assignment in Lome, Togo