Print

Mail

wiki links

Court confirms poll result as thousands flee the country

Emmanuel Akitani Bob, presidential candidate of the Coalition of the Togolese Opposition at the last campaign rally in Lome stadium, stands under portraits of former President Gnassingbe Eyadema, last month, in Lome. PHOTO: AFP

Togo's constitutional court on Tuesday certified election results showing the son of this West African nation's late dictator had won last month's presidential ballot.

The results had sparked deadly riots in the streets of the capital and a flow of refugees out of the country. The high court confirmation, while expected, raised concerns there could be more violence.

Chief Justice Atsu Koffi Amagah confirmed results released last week by the electoral commission, saying Faure Gnassingbe won 60 percent of the vote and opposition leader Bob Akitani took 38 percent.

Akitani had filed an appeal to contest the results, complaining ballot boxes were stuffed and stolen, and voter registration lists were tampered with.

Amagah said, "the petition filed by Akitani lacks substance, evidence and merit."

"According to the Constitution, the candidate with the majority of votes must be declared president," Amagah said. "Therefore, the court declares Faure Gnassingbe the legally elected new president of the Republic of Togo."

Gnassingbe, 39, is expected to be inaugurated within 48 hours. The announcement raised concerns of a return to deadly street fighting that has sent 20,000 refugees fleeing.

The April 26 announcement of Gnassingbe's provisional victory sparked two days of clashes between security forces and outraged opposition supporters that left at least 22 dead nationwide.

There were no immediate signs of violence Tuesday. Security forces dismantled barricades made of torn cobblestones in the opposition stronghold of Be, where much of last week's violence occurred.

Most shops closed early before the announcement, and streets downtown were empty, though groups of soldiers deployed heavily across the seaside city, patrolling in vehicles and standing on corners.
This story has been viewed 1966 times.