By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter,  Africa

LOME, Togo – European Union has concerns over Togo’s presidential election regarding transparency in the collation of results.

Both the ruling and opposition parties are claiming victory in this election.  Because of this uncertainty, many fear renewed violence in the west African nation.

Togo’s independent electoral commission (CENI) said that the official results will be published on Saturday.

Jean-Pierre Fabre, Togo’s opposition presidential candidate, has alleged “irregularities” in the voting procedures, referencing such things as stuffing ballot boxes.  The ruling party as rejected these claims and is now accusing the opposition of trying to spark violence between the two groups.

The Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has been ruling for over forty years while the opposition has been campaigning on a platform of change.  President Faure Gnassingbe is seeking his second five-year term.

Taxi driver and opposition supporter Felix Amelo warned, “People are tensely awaiting the results because if there is no change, there will again be destruction.”

Local police and the electoral commission have said that there were no incidents recorded during the polling process.

“In all, voting went very well.  There were more rumors than incidents,” said senior police commissioner Abalo Assih.

Looming fear is stemming from the violence that followed the election of Gnassingbe in 2005 that lead to hundreds of deaths, the United Nations putting the number between 400 and 500.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Togo’s Ruling, Opposition Parties Claim Victory in Vote – 5 March 2010

BBC – EU Observer Fears Over Togo Poll – 5 March 2010

Business Week – Togo’s Ruling Party Calls Opposition Win Claim “Unacceptable” –  2010

AP – Story of 2 Families at Heart of Togo’s Election – 3 March 2010