Togolese parliamentary election, 2002
Early parliamentary elections in Togo in 2002 took place on 27 October 2002. The elections were under the previous 1999 parliamentary elections, which were boycotted by most opposition parties, came to international pressure and protests from the opposition about. Even in these elections took the largest opposition parties not part.
Starting position
Due to the boycott of the recent parliamentary elections by the opposition of the Togolese parliament was dominated by the election of 1999 the party Rassemblement du peuple togolais (RPT ) Gnassingbe Eyadema of the President with 79 of the 81 seats. Since then, tried to mediate international organizations and the European Union between the ruling party RPT and opposition parties. In the thus achieved the Lomé Framework Agreement (French Accord Cadre de Lomé ( ACL) ) the establishment of an independent national electoral commission, the CENI (French national commission électorale indépendante ), and the preparation speedy election was decided. The ruling party pushed, these elections. Changes to the electoral laws that excluded the choice of not permanently resident in Togo politicians, it came to new inconsistencies, the election commission CENI has been replaced by a panel consisting of seven judges, which met with international protest. The restrictions imposed by the new law and the arrest of the chairman of the most important opposition party Yawovi Agboyibo ( president of the party Comité d' Action pour la renouveau CAR) from September 2001 to April 2002 led the opposition to obstruct the intended benefit of the parliamentary elections. The end of June dismissed from office Prime Minister Kodjo Agbéyomé criticized the government Eyadéma sharp, his criticism is directed against a prepared constitutional amendment that would legitimize a second term as President Eyadéma. His successor Koffi Sama was entrusted with the implementation of new elections. The election date was announced on September 19. The major opposition parties boycotted the elections because of previous events, only minor opposition parties competed for election. For example, the RSDD of Harry Olympio, who had been a year earlier fallen as a human rights minister under Eyadema in disgrace and imprisoned, but released after a plea for clemency.
Results of the election
Was started practically without significant competition RPT President Eyadéma strongest party, of the 81 parliamentary seats it won 72 The RSDD as the strongest opposition party won 3 seats.
The turnout was low, while official figures are at 67 % of the 2.9 million registered voters go to the opposition parties of about 10 % from. The EU and other internationally recognized organizations (eg the International Organization of Francophonie ) had withdrawn their electoral assistance and not send election observers. The Togolese Constitutional Court confirmed the election on 12 November, the United States and the European Union did not recognize the election result. The EU, with the exception of France, the aborted since 1993, development aid programs continued further.
New government
Eyadema occupied in early December 2002, a new government under Prime Minister Koffi Sama reappointed. The Cabinet was increased to 21 ministerial posts, many old minister in the important ministries were Replaced with new faces. The long-serving Foreign Minister Koffi Panou was replaced by the former UN ambassador Togo Roland Kpotsra, new interior minister was Akila Esso Boko. Harry Olympio was awarded as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs a minor ministerial posts, he had to leave mid- 2003. In the wake of the presidential election in 2003, which confirmed Eyadema as president, a new government was formed, which should be considered as a government of national unity more opposition parties. As a result of the redeployment of some ministerial posts of the president's son Faure Gnassingbé got his first high political office as minister for public utilities, mining, post and telecommunications.