Lome, Togo – (African Boulevard News) – As the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections approach, long queues have been forming outside registration centers in Togo. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) began the registration process on May 3, and Togolese citizens are rushing to register to ensure they can vote in the elections scheduled for February 2023.
According to CENI, the registration process will last for one month, and it is estimated that over two million people will register to vote. However, during the first week of registration, Togolese citizens have been encountering long lines and waiting hours to register.
One of the citizens, Yvette Agba, said, “I arrived here at 5 am, and I have been waiting for five hours already. The process is slow, and it is frustrating, but I need to register to vote.”
The long queues are not just frustrating for the citizens, but they pose a threat to their health amidst COVID-19. The government has provided hand sanitizers and face masks at the registration centers, but social distancing is not being enforced.
Faure Gnassingbé has been Togo’s president since 2005, and before him, his father Gnassingbé Eyadéma seized power in 1967. Many Togolese citizens believe that their votes do not count and that elections are rigged in favor of the ruling party. However, the opposition parties are hopeful that the 2023 elections will bring change to Togo’s political landscape.
According to Jean-Pierre Fabre, the leader of the National Alliance for Change opposition party, “The 2023 election is an opportunity for Togo to show the world that we are a democratic country and that our votes count. We are encouraging all Togolese citizens to register to vote and have their voices heard.”
The long queues at the registration centers suggest that Togolese citizens are eager to participate in the upcoming elections. However, with only one month allotted for the registration process, it remains to be seen whether everyone will have the opportunity to register.
In conclusion, the long queues forming outside registration centers in Togo signify the enthusiasm of citizens to participate in the upcoming elections. The government and the electoral commission must take measures to ensure that the registration process is efficient and safe amidst the ongoing pandemic. The opposition parties hope that the elections will bring change to Togo’s political landscape, and all citizens must have the opportunity to register to vote and make their voices heard.
