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| Togo prepares for landmark poll | Togo prepares for landmark poll |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The West African state of Togo is set to hold its first parliamentary elections since the death of Gnassingbe Eyadema, who had ruled for 38 years. | The West African state of Togo is set to hold its first parliamentary elections since the death of Gnassingbe Eyadema, who had ruled for 38 years. |
| The main opposition parties are all taking part, having boycotted polls for nearly two decades. | The main opposition parties are all taking part, having boycotted polls for nearly two decades. |
| After years of human rights abuses and misrule, foreign aid was suspended. | After years of human rights abuses and misrule, foreign aid was suspended. |
| But if these elections pass off smoothly analysts say there should be a resumption of aid that has been cut off for 15 years. | But if these elections pass off smoothly analysts say there should be a resumption of aid that has been cut off for 15 years. |
| 'Ruthless' | 'Ruthless' |
| Sunday's elections are not only vital for Togo, they are also taking place under unusual circumstances. | Sunday's elections are not only vital for Togo, they are also taking place under unusual circumstances. |
| For once, the governing party is open to competition and the playing field, so far, seems fairly level. | For once, the governing party is open to competition and the playing field, so far, seems fairly level. |
| Dozens of parties and independent candidates are competing for parliamentary seats. | Dozens of parties and independent candidates are competing for parliamentary seats. |
| TOGO ELECTION IN NUMBERS 3,000,000 voters2,150 candidates81 seats in national assembly3,000 observersPolls open 0700GMT-1700GMT | TOGO ELECTION IN NUMBERS 3,000,000 voters2,150 candidates81 seats in national assembly3,000 observersPolls open 0700GMT-1700GMT |
| Opposition parties, including the Union of Forces for Change (UFC) of veteran opposition leader Gilchrist Olympio, have taken part in largely peaceful, carnival-like campaigns. | |
| Things have certainly changed. | Things have certainly changed. |
| Togo's track record on democracy is appalling and past elections have often been little more than a sham. | Togo's track record on democracy is appalling and past elections have often been little more than a sham. |
| Until his death in 2005, Gnassingbe Eyadema was the longest serving president in Africa, in power for almost four decades. | Until his death in 2005, Gnassingbe Eyadema was the longest serving president in Africa, in power for almost four decades. |
| Under his rule the opposition was dealt with ruthlessly. | Under his rule the opposition was dealt with ruthlessly. |
| Troubled past | Troubled past |
| The military carried out arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings during the 1990s. | The military carried out arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings during the 1990s. |
| The international community eventually said enough was enough and for the past 15 years international aid has been cut off. | The international community eventually said enough was enough and for the past 15 years international aid has been cut off. |
| Faure Gnassingbe has held out a hand to the opposition | Faure Gnassingbe has held out a hand to the opposition |
| Gnassingbe Eyadema's death was followed by further outcry when his own son was installed as president. | Gnassingbe Eyadema's death was followed by further outcry when his own son was installed as president. |
| Faure Gnassingbe did step down in order for polls to be held but it was no great surprise when he emerged as the victor. | Faure Gnassingbe did step down in order for polls to be held but it was no great surprise when he emerged as the victor. |
| However, his presidential elections two years ago were disputed and marred by violence in which hundreds of people were killed. | However, his presidential elections two years ago were disputed and marred by violence in which hundreds of people were killed. |
| But now after reconciliation talks and political agreements, Togo is inching forward. | But now after reconciliation talks and political agreements, Togo is inching forward. |
| If these elections are seen as free and fair the European Union and other international donors are expected to resume aid. | If these elections are seen as free and fair the European Union and other international donors are expected to resume aid. |
| For an impoverished country with such a troubled past, the hope is this could be the turning point for Togo. | For an impoverished country with such a troubled past, the hope is this could be the turning point for Togo. |