Togo approves constitutional reform changing how president is elected
Al Jazeera
Those opposed to the changes fear they could allow further extensions to President Faure Gnassingbe’s rule.
Lawmakers in Togo have approved changes to the constitution linked to presidential term limits and how presidents are elected, which some opposition politicians and civil society groups have denounced as a constitutional coup.
Togo’s parliament had already adopted the amendments on March 25, but the reforms led to an opposition backlash so President Faure Gnassingbe called for further consultations and a second parliamentary vote.
The lawmakers gave final approval to the reform late on Friday, just days before the April 29 legislative elections that had also been pushed back due to the issues around the constitutional amendments.
The second reading was passed with all 87 politicians present agreeing to the new system, under which the president will no longer be elected by universal suffrage, but by members of parliament.
The amendments also introduced a parliamentary system of government and shortened presidential terms to four years from five with a two-term limit.
