People in the West African nation of Togo today go to the polls to elect a new President.
To ensure that democracy prevails there the people of Togo must be allowed to elect their choice of candidate without any form of intimidation. Democracy is all about the government of the people, by the people and for the people.
It could be recalled that hundreds of people died in the post-election violence following Togo’s last Presidential poll in 2005.
The only thing we expect from our Togolese brothers and sisters is to ensure a smooth election which would be an extremely positive development for the region as a whole.
Already election observers from the ECOWAS, AU and European Union are there to monitor the vote across the country.
So far, we were made to understand that the campaign has been peaceful with heightened local security and deployment of regional military forces, though past elections were reportedly marred by opposition accusations that the incumbent President Faure Gnassingbe had used the country’s electoral commission to rig what would otherwise be a tight outcome in his favour.
Gnassingbe, the candidate of the ruling Togolese People's Rally (RPT), took power in 2005 after the death of his father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled for 38 years.
They must ensure that the election is free, fair and transparent hence these are the cornerstone for any credible election.
It is important that the election unfolds calmly without violence.
All eyes are on Togo to see if they would do as expected of them.
Our advice to our Togolese brothers and sisters is to vote for the right candidate. To the presidential candidates, we urge you to accept the outcome with good faith.
