Togo

Togo’s politics are characterized by the long-standing rule of the Gnassingbé family, with Faure Gnassingbé’s party, the Union for the Republic (UNIR), dominating the political landscape. A major recent change is the transition from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary system, enacted by a new constitution in March 2024. Under the new system, the President of the Republic holds a symbolic role, while executive power is held by the President of the Council of Ministers, selected from the majority party, which is currently the UNIR.

9.515M+

Population

100:101

Men-Women Ratio

19.8%

Women Representation

Overview

Togo was formerly under German colonial rule before becoming a French-administered territory after World War I. Togo gained independence from France on April 27, 1960, with Sylvanus Olympio as its first president. In 1963, Olympio was overthrown and assassinated in a coup, marking the beginning of decades of political instability and military dominance.

Togo operates under a presidential republic system, with significant executive power vested in the president. The country is administratively divided into five regions, each further subdivided into prefectures. It has a unicameral legislature, the National Assembly, alongside an independent judiciary, though in practice, executive influence over state institutions is significant. Togo has a multiparty system, though political life has been dominated for decades by the Union for the Republic (UNIR) and its predecessor, the Rally of the Togolese People (RPT). The president is directly elected for a five-year term, with a two-term limit reinstated in 2019 constitutional reforms, though these limits are not retroactive.

A major political turning point occurred in 2005 following the death of long-serving president Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who had ruled since 1967. His son, Faure Gnassingbé, assumed the presidency amid political unrest and contested elections. Electoral reforms in the 2010s aimed to improve transparency, but opposition groups continue to call for stronger democratic safeguards.
Key political transitions since independence include: Nicolas Grunitzky replacing Olympio after the 1963 coup; Gnassingbé Eyadéma seizing power in 1967 and ruling for 38 years; Faure Gnassingbé becoming president in 2005 and winning subsequent elections in 2010, 2015, and 2020.

Upcoming Elections

May 4, 2030

Presidential & Parliamentary Elections

Scheduled

In Togo, the Constitution creates a powerful, six-year term for the President of the Council of Ministers, who acts as the head of government and can be reelected indefinitely. This position is filled by the leader of the party with the most legislative seats or a majority coalition. This change removes the two-term limit for the head of government that was in the 2019 Constitution. A separate, largely ceremonial, president is subject to a four-year term with a single reelection.

The last polls were held 3 May 2025. The first-ever elections for the newly established Senate were held on February 15, 2025.

The next general elections are therefore expected in May 2030 (exact date to be set by EC).

Learn more

Participation Metrics

Voter Turnout
Togo’s most recent parliamentary elections in April 2024 recorded a voter turnout of about 61-62%, indicating moderate participation from the electorate. This turnout reflects a relatively engaged voting population for a legislative contest, although it also suggests that a significant portion of eligible voters remain disengaged or face barriers to participation. Turnout levels continue to be shaped by political trust, party competition, and the overall electoral environment.

Registered Voters
For the 2024 elections, Togo registered approximately 4.2 million voters, representing about two-thirds of the eligible population. This extensive voter roll demonstrates strong administrative capacity in maintaining biometric registration systems and updating records nationwide. However, challenges remain in ensuring that all eligible citizens, especially those in rural or underserved areas, are fully documented and included in the register.

Gender Statistics
Women make up a slight majority of registered voters, with some reports estimating that women constitute over 53% of the voter roll. This indicates strong female engagement in the electoral process at the registration level. Despite this, women’s political representation remains limited, with only 18.6% of parliamentary seats held by women in 2024. The gap between high voter registration and lower political leadership highlights ongoing structural and cultural barriers affecting women’s access to elected positions.

Youth Participation
Although exact age-disaggregated turnout data is limited, observation missions consistently note that youth are active in mobilization, campaigning, and voter registration efforts. Togo has a predominantly young population, meaning that youth participation significantly influences electoral dynamics. However, the absence of precise statistics on youth turnout prevents a full assessment of how effectively young people convert their demographic strength into electoral influence.

Key Electoral Institutions

Political parties and the National Assembly

Political parties and the National Assembly are crucial to the functioning of Mauritania’s electoral system, even though they are not direct management bodies. Political parties mobilize citizens, nominate candidates, and monitor elections through agents and observers. The National Assembly contributes by debating and enacting electoral laws, shaping the legal framework within which CENI and other institutions operate. Together, they provide democratic oversight and ensure political pluralism in the electoral environment.

Contact Information

Visit Website

Constitutional Council

They serve as the highest judicial authority on electoral and constitutional matters in Mauritania. It validates and proclaims final election results, particularly for presidential and parliamentary elections, and confirms the eligibility of presidential candidates. The Council also adjudicates electoral disputes, ensuring that elections comply with the constitution and legal framework. Its rulings are final and binding, giving it a central role in safeguarding the integrity and legitimacy of electoral outcomes.

Contact Information

Visit Website

Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI)

This is Mauritania’s principal body responsible for organizing and supervising all elections, including presidential, parliamentary, regional, and municipal polls. It operates as an autonomous institution mandated to ensure transparency, neutrality, and fairness in the electoral process. CENI oversees voter registration, monitors campaign conduct, manages the logistics of voting and counting, and announces provisional results. Its members are appointed through political consensus, typically representing both ruling and opposition parties, to reinforce public confidence and political balance.

Contact Information

Visit Website

Direction Générale des Élections (DGE)

The DGE is the main new electoral management body in Guinea, created by decree in 2025. It is responsible for organising elections (both elections and referendums), maintaining and managing the electoral register, and guaranteeing aspects of electoral fairness. The DGE also represents Guinea in regional and international electoral organisations.

Contact Information

Visit Website

Judiciary (Election Petitions)

The High Court of The Gambia hears election petitions. (Election Petition Rules 1976 govern the process.)

Contact Information

Visit Website

Electoral Laws & Policies

Law amending Law No. 2021-019 of October 11, 2021 relating to the electoral code: https://assemblee-nationale.tg/lois_adoptees/loi-portant-modification-de-la-loi-n2021-019-du-11-octobre-2021-portant-code-electoral/
Togo’s Constitution of 1992 with Amendments through 2007: https://antislaverylaw.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Togo-Constitution.pdf
Constitutional revision: Togo moves to the Fifth Republic with a parliamentary regime: https://assemblee-nationale.tg/revision-constitutionnelle-le-togo-passe-a-la-veme-republique-avec-un-regime-parlementaire/

Accredited Election Monitoring Organizations

Action Justice (ONG)

Observatoire de la Solidarité et de la Cohésion Sociale (OSCS)

Gambia Press Union (GPU)

CSO Coalition on Elections

Gambia Participates (GP)

GNDEM (Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors)

Forum des Organisations Nationales des Droits Humains (FONADH)

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)

Recent Election Publication

News & Updates

Election Result Platform

How To Monitor Elections In

Togo

Purpose
Promote transparent, credible, and peaceful elections in Togo (presidential, legislative, or local).

Key Actors
International observers (regional bodies, foreign missions, NGOs)
Domestic/local observers (Togolese CSOs and coalitions)
Citizen observers (trained volunteers)
Media observers (press accreditation)

Accreditation and Legal Basis
Accreditation: Obtain through the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) or established observer coalitions recognized by CENI.
Legal basis: Observation permitted under Togolese electoral law; observers must follow accreditation rules, safety protocols, and non-interference guidelines.
Timelines: Accreditation typically opens months before Election Day; apply via CENI or accredited networks.

Observer Tracks
International observers: Regional bodies, foreign missions, or international NGOs.
Domestic/local observers: Togolese CSOs and coalitions.
Citizen observers: Trained individuals or teams linked to networks.
Media observers: Journalists with official press accreditation.

Planning and Preparation
Join a recognized observer network or coalition; secure credentials.
Define scope: polling stations, counting centers, and results transmission; ensure geographic and urban/rural balance.
Training: participate in pre-election briefings on procedures, safety, and ethics.
Tools: standardized checklists, incident reporting templates, offline data capture options; document photography where permitted.

On Election Day
At polling stations:
Verify accreditation; observe access, queues, secrecy, and procedure adherence.
Record anomalies: delays, intimidation, missing materials, misprinted ballots.
Counting and transmission:
Observe counting where allowed; document procedures and deviations.
Monitor results transmission; compare with official figures where possible.
Reporting:
Use approved templates; escalate issues through coalition channels or CENI liaison points.

Post-Election Activities
Preliminary report: concise overview of trends and anomalies.
Verification: cross-check with official results and other observer reports.
Public engagement: briefings with media and stakeholders; provide channels for reporting irregularities.
Follow-up: contribute to post-election reviews and reforms.

Ethical Principles
Impartiality, non-interference, accuracy, transparency, and safety.
Respect voters, officials, and fellow observers; avoid disrupting processes.
Data privacy and responsible handling of information.

Timeline (Condensed)
6–12 months before: join coalition, start accreditation planning.
3–6 months before: complete training; finalize deployment plan.
Weeks before: confirm sampling; arrange logistics.
Election Day: observe and report.
1–2 weeks after: publish preliminary findings; submit final report.

Resources (examples; verify current partners)
Togolese electoral authority: Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI) and official guidelines
Domestic CSO observer coalitions (verify current members)
Regional/international partners: ECOWAS, AU, EU Election Observation, UNDP and partners