(Thumbnail Image: africanelections.org)
The West African nation of Togo announced the reelection of incumbent president Faure Gnassingbe after he claimed 60 percent of the vote. Supporters of the opposition party, Union Forces for Change (UFC), say the election was rigged.
Rumors of corruption are nothing new to Gnassingbe. In 2005 after the death of his father, Gnassingbe took office in what the Togolese widely considered a corrupt victory.
Nearly 400 people were killed in the protests that followed.
NTV reports EU election observers raised concerns about the fairness of this election.
"They found a lack of transparency when results were sent to the national election commission electronically. ... Pierre supporters feel they have been cheated of victory too many times in the past and should win this time."
France 24 reports UFC supporters refuse to admit Jean-Pierre Fabre's defeat.
"Despite international pleas for calm, security forces fired tear gas to control protesters demonstrating on the streets of Lomé earlier. Fabre's supporters set for further protests in the coming days."
Between Gnassingbe and his father, the family has ruled for four decades. A 2002 amendment to Togo's constitution removed the two-year presidential term limit. In Focus reports the opposition -- UFC -- is not the only party citing corruption.
"But several opposition candidates have withdrawn saying president Faure Gnassingbe is using the Electoral Commission to get himself reelected."
UFC presidential candidiate, Jean Pierre Fabre (FAHB) is challenging the result in Togo's constitutional court.
Writer: Veronica Wells
Producer: Newsy Staff
