Togo’s ruling party, led by President Faure Gnassingbé, secured a landslide victory in the Senate elections, winning 34 of the 41 contested seats, according to provisional results released on Sunday.
The election, conducted on Saturday by 1,706 municipal and regional lawmakers, marked the final phase in implementing a controversial new constitution.
The reforms, initiated by Gnassingbé, will abolish presidential elections and shift executive power to a newly created position, the president of the council, who will be appointed by the ruling party.
Opposition parties largely boycotted the election, condemning the reforms as a strategy to consolidate Gnassingbé’s hold on power.
Having ruled since 2005 following his father’s death, Gnassingbé was previously limited to one more presidential term in 2025 under the old constitution.
Critics argue that the new system ensures his continued dominance over the country’s political landscape.
His Union for the Republic party had already secured an overwhelming majority in April’s legislative elections, winning 108 out of 111 seats. Once the Senate is fully constituted—an additional 20 seats will be appointed by the prime minister—both chambers of parliament will be responsible for selecting the president of the council.
The elections took place under strict media restrictions, with foreign journalists denied accreditation, mirroring the limitations imposed during the legislative vote.
