In a press release dated May 8, 2025, the Groupe des Indépendants "La Voix des Sans Voix" sent a letter to the Chairman of the Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI) to raise major concerns about the conditions for candidacy in this year's municipal elections.
In their letter, the movement criticizes in particular the requirement for a duplicate certificate of togolese nationality in the new formatimposed by CENI in its communiqué of May 7, 2025. According to Edoh Komi, Chairman of the Group, this condition could unjustly exclude many citizens only have the old format, which they believe is still in use.
"There is no official decision prohibiting the use of the old certificate. It would therefore be unfair to reject applications on this basis", reads the correspondence.
The group calls for CENI will accept any legalized photocopy of a certificate of nationality in any format.to ensure a truly inclusive election.
Another red flag: higher bonding costs for candidates. These have risen from 20,000 FCFA to 50,000 FCFA for men and from 10,000 FCFA to 25,000 FCFA for women, an increase of 150 %. Inflation deemed "excessive and likely to curb participation, especially among the most modest populations.
Faced with these facts, "La Voix des Sans Voix" (Voice of the Voiceless) recommends a significant reduction in these costs and calls on CENI to review these measures in order to promote broad, fair and democratic participation.
This press release marks a new stage in the mobilization of civil society around electoral fairness in Togo, a few months ahead of a municipal election crucial to local governance.
Editorial staff
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