details on the composition of the future Senate

details on the composition of the future Senate

In Togo, details on the composition of the future Senate which will be set up for the first time in the country’s history. The ballot, by indirect universal suffrage, will be held on February 2, 2025. Several texts published in the official journal give more details on this new institution. The establishment of the Senate is one of the last stages of the effective transition to the Fifth Republic, after the promulgation of a new constitution in May 2024.

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The Senate will hold two ordinary sessions of three months each per year: in April and October. It will have 61 members. 41 elected by indirect universal suffrage for six years by major voters: regional and local councilors. The other 20 are appointed by the president Faure Gnassingbé.

The senatorial elections take place in 39 electoral districts. Candidates must be at least 35 years old, enjoy their civil and political rights, and reside inTogo for at least six months.

Opposition consultations

Will the opposition present candidates? Several parties are currently consulting. After denouncing the results of this year’s legislative elections which saw the ruling UNIR party win 108 seats out of 113 according to official results, Paul Apevon’s FDR party wonders why participate in a new election without guarantee of transparency. The ANC and the DMP also emphasize that UNIR controls more than 90% of the voters who will choose the senators on February 2.

The Don’t Touch My Constitution front, opposed to the constitutional change made this year, denounces the folklore of these senatorial elections which does not meet the aspirations of the Togolese.

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