Togo has postponed its parliamentary and regional elections following disputes over controversial constitutional reform.
The lawmakers approved modifications that replaced the presidential system with a parliamentary one.
It also moved executive power to the prime minister, reducing the presidency to a ceremonial role.
Opposition parties have rejected the reform, fearing it could let President Faure Gnassingbé stay longer in power.
President Faure Gnassingbé succeeded his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who died in 2005 after ruling the country for 38 years.
The presidency postponed the elections on Wednesday, but did not give a new date for the polls, which were initially scheduled for April 20.
The Conference of Togolese Catholic bishops has urged President Gnassingbé not to sign the constitutional changes into law, citing the need for “broad consultation and a more inclusive national debate”.
The new system allows the president to be selected by parliament without debate for a single six-year term, rather than being directly voted by the citizens.
Opposition parties boycotted Togo’s previous elections and are poorly represented in Togo’s parliament.
Therefore, the constitutional changes approved were done by pro-Faure lawmakers, with only one lawmaker voting against and one other, abstaining.
The presidency said on Wednesday that the delay was to allow for “consultations” over the contested constitutional changes.
“The National Assembly wished to have some days to engage in broad consultations with all stakeholders,” the presidency’s statement said.
The election delay comes days after President Gnassingbé sent the contested law back to parliament for a second reading, amid mounting criticism.
