Amid unrest, 3M voting in Togo general elections

By Alpha Kamara

LUNGI, Sierra Leone (AA) - Amid protests and opposition calls for a boycott, election turnout appears to be low Thursday in the West African nation of Togo, where over three million people are eligible to vote on 91 members of parliament.

Security forces voted early in preparation for possible unrest. Bars were closed and other activities were called off, said security officials.

The election is being boycotted by a coalition of 14 opposition parties (C14) after their request for reforms went unfulfilled. Togo’s election commission has been accused of a lack of independence, illegal recruitment, irregularities, and bias.

Rebuffing the charges, commission Chair Kodjona Kadanga told West Africa Democracy Radio: ‘‘We have rectified the voter registry and nullified over 44,500 voters, leaving 3,155,837 valid citizens to vote. We are ready to make the process credible."

Jerry John Rawlings, the former president of neighboring Ghana, criticized the world for ignoring Togo’s plight.

‘‘Is the world going to continue looking away while Togo situation deteriorates in pain, blood and terror?’’ Rawlings wrote on Facebook.

Togolese opposition activist Farida Nabourema told Anadolu Agency that numerous opposition party leaders were arrested overnight, alleging a plan to “scare the opposition boycott.’’

Togo descended into chaos in August 2017 after opposition parties and activists called for electoral reforms. The Rise up Togo and Faure Must Go movements have demanded that the 1992 reform constitution be reinstated. They also call for an end to the Gnassimgbe dynasty, which has ruled the country for almost 50 years.

Four protesters have been shot dead by riot police since Dec. 8, the latest casualty of the unrest.