Togo opposition wants election delayed
{{date|March 27, 2005}}
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[[File:Flag of Togo.png|200px|The flag of [[w:Togo|Togo]]]]
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The opposition parties in [[Togo]] held a demonstration on Saturday to demand a delay in the upcoming elections. The elections to replace the deceased ruler, [[w:Gnassingbé Eyadéma|Gnassingbé Eyadéma]], are scheduled to be held on April 24, 2005.

The elections were scheduled after an outpouring of international criticism about the army's installment of the late president's son as the country's new leader. The son, [[w:Faure Gnassingbé|Faure Gnassingbé]], initially circumvented the constitutional process for new elections 60 days after the death of a current president, but announced elections after African and European leaders strongly criticized the move.

The opposition is demanding a delay for the election, because they fear they will not be able to carry out a sufficient campaign. The candidates from the two prominent opposition parties, Emmanuel Bob Akitani and Nicolas Lawson, both registered with the election officials despite the view that elections should be delayed. In a demonstration in the nation's capital, Akitani's supporters cheered as the candidate called for better representation on elected bodies &mdash; something the government denies is a problem.

The supporters of the current government also held a rally in the city, shouting "No" to the prospect of delaying elections.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Related news ==
*{{Wikinews|title=Togo's Faure Gnassingbé says elections will be held in 60 days|date=February 19, 2005}}
*{{Wikinews|title=Coup in Togo after President dies|date=February 6, 2005}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4384607.stm
 |title=Togo opposition demand poll delay
 |author=
 |pub=BBC News
 |date=March 26, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4894732,00.html
 |title=Demonstrators Want Togo Elections Delayed
 |author=Ebow Godwin (AP)
 |pub=The Guardian
 |date=March 27, 2005}}

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[[Category:Togo]]
[[Category:Elections]]

[[de:Togo:Opposition fordert späteren Wahltermin]]
Flag of Togo.png|200px|The flag of Togo

The opposition parties in Togo held a demonstration on Saturday to demand a delay in the upcoming elections. The elections to replace the deceased ruler, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, are scheduled to be held on April 24, 2005.

The elections were scheduled after an outpouring of international criticism about the army's installment of the late president's son as the country's new leader. The son, Faure Gnassingbé, initially circumvented the constitutional process for new elections 60 days after the death of a current president, but announced elections after African and European leaders strongly criticized the move.

The opposition is demanding a delay for the election, because they fear they will not be able to carry out a sufficient campaign. The candidates from the two prominent opposition parties, Emmanuel Bob Akitani and Nicolas Lawson, both registered with the election officials despite the view that elections should be delayed. In a demonstration in the nation's capital, Akitani's supporters cheered as the candidate called for better representation on elected bodies — something the government denies is a problem.

The supporters of the current government also held a rally in the city, shouting "No" to the prospect of delaying elections.


de:Togo:Opposition fordert späteren Wahltermin
Togo Elections