Togo's municipal election: CENI reveals over 55% voter turnout recorded.

The Independent National Electoral Commission revealed that of the 4,637,998 registered voters, a total of 2,552,039 number of voters, representing 55.02%, turned out to fulfill their civic duty. 

The President of CENI, Dago Yabré, had in an outing on national television after voting on Thursday, appreciated the conduct of polls and vote counting process.

Dago Yabré had told reporters that the body was “not rushing to give results that will give rise to disputes”. 

The President of CENI had reassured that the elections management body had set up a system that was already working on the compilation of the votes. 

"Some small polling stations have already sent us their results. But we are waiting for the physical results," Dago Yabré had stated. 

Voting, it should be said, unfolded in total calm and serenity despite boycott calls that had been made by civil society and opposition following weeks of social tensions in prelude to the polls.

Voting took place in all 12,541 polling stations established by CENI. The process unfolded under the watch of international election observer missions notably Conseil de l'Entente, a sub-regional organisation, and those of ECOWAS and the African Union. 

They had insisted on the scrupulous compliance with laid down laws, neutrality, impartiality and objectivity. 

"We are counting on you to demonstrate, throughout your mission, the rigour and clear-sightedness that characterise your institutions. In return, the government assures you of its full cooperation: reinforced security, facilitation of your movements and provision of useful information," Afo Salifou, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Togolese Abroad, had told the observers ahead of the polls. 

Revisiting key statistics 

Voting at the municipal election was to choose the 1,527 new municipal councillors in 117 municipalities. A total of 500 lists with 82 candidacies retained by CENI and validated by the Administrative Bench of the Supreme Court, contested the polls. 

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

The 1,527 new municipal councillors voted on July 17, will after publication of results by CENI, then decide on those to be elected within each of the 117 municipalities as mayors and deputies for a six-year term. 

By Doh Bertrand on special assignment in Lome, Togo