In a proactive move to ensure transparency and fairness in Togo’s upcoming legislative and regional elections, the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, has dispatched a team of forty seasoned observers to oversee the electoral process.
According to a statement released by the commission, this mission aligns with the provisions outlined in Article 12 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. It represents ECOWAS’ commitment to assisting its member states in conducting free and fair elections.
Heading the mission is Mrs. Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, former Vice-President of The Gambia, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the task at hand.
Comprising ambassadors from ECOWAS member states, representatives from the ECOWAS Court of Justice and Parliament, civil society organizations, media professionals, and election specialists from the West African region, the observation mission reflects a comprehensive and diverse approach to monitoring the electoral process.
The decision to deploy this observation mission follows the recommendations of a pre-election fact-finding mission that conducted a thorough assessment of the preparatory phases of the elections from April 15 to April 20, 2024.
During their time in Togo, the observation mission will engage in consultations with key stakeholders involved in the electoral process. Moreover, they will closely monitor the voting process leading up to the elections scheduled for April 29, 2024.
With the presence of these observers, there is optimism that Togo’s electoral process will be characterized by transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, fostering confidence in the democratic process and the integrity of the election results.
LV