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Togo counts landmark poll votes | Togo counts landmark poll votes |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Votes are being counted in the west African state of Togo after landmark parliamentary elections with the first results not expected until mid-week. | Votes are being counted in the west African state of Togo after landmark parliamentary elections with the first results not expected until mid-week. |
All opposition parties took part for the first time in almost two decades and EU observers said there had been no reports of serious disturbances. | All opposition parties took part for the first time in almost two decades and EU observers said there had been no reports of serious disturbances. |
Togolese leaders hope the poll will convince foreign donors to resume aid after a suspension lasting 15 years. | Togolese leaders hope the poll will convince foreign donors to resume aid after a suspension lasting 15 years. |
Turnout appeared to be high, with long queues reported at polling stations. | Turnout appeared to be high, with long queues reported at polling stations. |
Hundreds of people were killed during the 2005 presidential election, won by current President Faure Gnassingbe. | Hundreds of people were killed during the 2005 presidential election, won by current President Faure Gnassingbe. |
He replaced his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, who had ruled for 38 years and dealt ruthlessly with the opposition. | He replaced his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, who had ruled for 38 years and dealt ruthlessly with the opposition. |
The head of the European Union's observer mission, Fiona Hall, told the BBC there had been no reports of violence and voting had generally gone very smoothly. | |
TOGO ELECTION IN NUMBERS 3,000,000 voters2,150 candidates81 seats in national assembly3,000 observers | TOGO ELECTION IN NUMBERS 3,000,000 voters2,150 candidates81 seats in national assembly3,000 observers |
"The greatest anxiety when the process of doing elections differently was started was always that there would be a return to violence on polling day. That hasn't happened." | "The greatest anxiety when the process of doing elections differently was started was always that there would be a return to violence on polling day. That hasn't happened." |
"I hope that that level of calmness will carry on in the days ahead." | "I hope that that level of calmness will carry on in the days ahead." |
Dozens of parties and independent candidates competed for parliamentary seats in Sunday's election. | Dozens of parties and independent candidates competed for parliamentary seats in Sunday's election. |
Opposition parties, including the Union of Forces for Change (UFC) of veteran opposition leader Gilchrist Olympio, have taken part in largely peaceful campaigns. | Opposition parties, including the Union of Forces for Change (UFC) of veteran opposition leader Gilchrist Olympio, have taken part in largely peaceful campaigns. |
Past elections have often been little more than a sham, BBC West Africa correspondent Will Ross says. | Past elections have often been little more than a sham, BBC West Africa correspondent Will Ross says. |
The military carried out arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings during the 1990s, leading to the cutting of international aid. | The military carried out arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings during the 1990s, leading to the cutting of international aid. |
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 election two years ago was disputed and marred by violence in which hundreds of people were killed. | However, his presidential election two years ago was disputed and marred by violence in which hundreds of people were killed. |
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