Togo: Municipal elections ongoing in calm, serenity.

Polls opened at 7a.m., after regulatory verification of the ballot boxes, and are expected to close in the evening by 6p.m. Voter turnout has been massive.

Despite boycott calls and weeks of social tensions that marked the country weeks to the polls, heightening fears the electoral process could marred, no major incident or irregularity has been noticed.

At the various polling stations visited earlier today in the capital city Lome, voting unfolded in total serenity and orderliness.

Agents of the elections management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, CENI, could be spotted at all polling stations assisting voters to trace their names on the posted voter list are perform their civic duty.

Security patrols intensified across streets 

On the streets of Lome, there is business as usually despite the unfolding electoral process. Defence and security forces are on high alert to thwart any disrupt polls and guarantee safety of polling agents, observers and voters. 

Security checks are conducted on major roads by officers of the Road Security Division of the Gendarmerie while combat ready soldiers have intensified patrols on board pickup trucks and motorbikes. 

Polling stations have also been secured by defense and security officers to advert any eventuality while special forces on board motorbikes make rounds to beef up the polling stations at intervals. 

Smooth voting ongoing across polling stations

At the Lycée D'agoè Niyvé Centre polling station in the d'Agoè Nyivé I Council area, voting unfolded normally with citizens walking in, peacefully casting their votes and returning to carry out their daily activities.

It was a similar atmosphere witnessed at the EPP Hedzranawoe polling station and also at the EPP Bè-Gare polling station in the Golfe I Council area.

One of those who turned out to cast perform his civic duty was the incumbent Mayor of Golfe I Council, Gbloèkpo Koamy Gomodo. 

After casting his vote, Gbloèkpo saluted the smooth unfolding of the voting process and urged all and sundry turnout massively and perform their civic duty.

"A good citizen is one who honours his civic duty to vote once the State organises an election. It is this citizenship assignment that I have come out to fulfill this morning,” Gbloèkpo said, noting that as candidate, it was also incumbent on him to lead by example. 

The opposition politician said the list he heads has done the needy by mobilising delegates and youth to represent them in the 489 polling stations in Golfe I municipality. 

"I can assure you that throughout all the areas even in the interior, we are represented," he added. 

With 11 lists at Golfe I municipality, he sounded upbeat that they will emerge victorious, especially with palpable projects on the ground which have been realised in the last six-year mandate.

"We are not egoistic but we are counting on the population who have accompanied us throughout these six years. We started something together and we will finish it together. I am calling on everybody to go and vote so that the choice of today, we will jubilate again," he stated.

Calm atmosphere in Notsè

In the constituency of Haho, a key political stronghold in Togo, the polls also opened in a serenity, marked by a huge citizen mobilization.

The Haho Division, divided into four municipalities for 60 seats to be filled, is a test of democratic maturity. Several parties are contesting here, including the ruling UNIR, the ANC, the DMP, the PDP and the UFC.

Among the first voters was Dandonougbo Nanbidou, candidate of the ruling UNIR party, who came to fulfill her civic duty.

In Kpédomé (Haho III), the electoral materials were complete and voters were gradually pouring in. Candidates Amoudji Komlan Marius and Adaïsso Kossi Hector also exercised their right to vote, praising the organization of the process.

In the Haho II municipality, the voting went on without any incident. Minister Kokou Tengué voted in Asrama before starting a supervisory tour in his constituency. He called on citizens to "make their voices heard in calm and serenity".

In Alinou (Haho I), the commitment of voters remains high. Former Prime Minister Komi Selom Klassou, an influential figure in the region, insisted on voting early, symbolising the importance of the local election.

By Doh Bertrand on special assignment in Lome, Togo