PRELIMINARY DECLARATION : Ecowas declaration of Togo elections

INTRODUCTION

In line with the provisions of the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001), and as part of the Electoral Assistance Programme to the ECOWAS Member States, H.E. Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, President of the ECOWAS Commission, deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the Presidential election of 25^th April 2015 in the Togolese Republic.

The 100-member EOM was led by H.E. Amos Sawyer, former President of the Interim Government of National Unity of Liberia. The Mission was composed of delegations from the ECOWAS Council of the Wise and Ambassadors of ECOWAS Member States accredited to the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja. It also comprised experts from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Electoral Management Bodies of Member States, members of Civil Society Organizations and the Media. The Head of Mission was supported in his mandate by a technical team from the ECOWAS Commission.

BACKGROUND TO THE ELECTION

Before deployment, ECOWAS closely monitored the political and security situation in Togo through its early warning mechanism as part of its observation of the electoral process. Ahead of the presidential election of 25^th April 2015 and in view of the political tensions which surrounded the electoral process, the current Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government and President of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama paid a visit to the Country on 23^rd March 2015. On 20^th April, a follow-up visit was made by the Chair of Authority accompanied by the President of the ECOWAS Commission H.E. Kadré Desiré Ouédraogo. These visits gave their Excellencies the opportunity to examine the level of preparedness for the presidential election and updates on the efforts that were being made to create the conducive conditions for the effective conduct of the presidential election.

During these visits and in a bid to ensure a peaceful election, the current ECOWAS Chairman met with the political parties including the Candidates and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While reiterating the commitment of ECOWAS in supporting reconciliation efforts and

to ensuring the effective participation of all citizens in the elections, the political actors were reminded of their primary responsibility in ensuring the stability and development of Togo. They were further encouraged to ensure a peaceful and credible outcome of the electoral process, stressing that Togo should be the ultimate winner to emerge from the process.

III. ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

In order to support the electoral process in Togo, the ECOWAS Commission deployed the following electoral assistance packages:

• Deployment of a pre-electoral fact-finding mission in October 2014;
• Deployment of a Long-Term Observation Mission (LTEOM) comprising twelve (12) observers across the five (5) regions of Togo from 5^th April to 6^th May 2015.
• The establishment of an Election Situation Room in Togo to monitor the election and serve as an Early Warning and Rapid Response Mechanism deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections;
• A financial support for the electoral process;
• Deployment of a 100-member Short-Term Observation Mission.

IV. ARRIVAL OF THE ECOWAS EOM, CONSULTATIONS, AND DEPLOYMENT

The ECOWAS Short-Term Observation Mission arrived on 19^th April 2015. The Head of Mission in pursuance of his mandate, immediately met with the Chairman of INEC, the Heads of the Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), civil society organizations, the media, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Security, the Ministry of Territorial Administration, the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) and religious leaders. The mission also met with development partners including the UNDP and the European Union.

Upon completion of these meetings, the Head of Mission noted with satisfaction the efforts of the different political stakeholders in improving the conditions for the organisation of the presidential election. These include:

• The consensus reached among stakeholders and Candidates for the 2015 presidential election on the use of the audited voters register and the new outline of the ballot paper designed by the Election Management Body (CENI).
• The absence of any major hitch/ hindrance throughout the country during the campaign period which commenced on 10th April and ended on 23^rd April, 2015.
• The steps taken by the EMB to utilise and make available gender-disaggregated data for all the regions.
• The professional manner in which the media covered the electoral process during the campaign period;
• The positive involvement of Civil Society including Women's organisations in all stages of the electoral process.
• The financial support extended by the Government to Candidates for the Presidential election, to ensure their representatives were deployed in all polling stations.
• The establishment of the High Authority for Reconciliation and National Unity to implement the reforms.
• The establishment of a National Monitoring and Early Warning Committee comprising of representatives of the Government, the CENI, the Candidates, the Traditional Chiefs (canton chiefs) and civil society in all the prefectures.
• Under the auspices of all international observers’ missions a joint communiqué was released and signed by all the candidates announcing the formation of a Support Committee to supervise the transmission, processing and publication of results. This followed disagreements between the parties regarding the mode of transmission of results.

V. PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS

After a briefing and orientation session held on 23^rd April 2015, the observer teams were deployed across the five regions covering thirty-five (35) prefectures for the presidential election of 25^th April 2015 in Togo. After careful review of the reports and evaluations from the field, the ECOWAS Observation Mission wishes to make the following preliminary observations and conclusions:

V-1. The Electioneering Campaign and the Media

Overall, the campaign did not witness any major disturbance throughout the country due to the action of the Security Force for the Presidential Election (FOSEP). All candidates freely campaigned all over the country and also received adequate media coverage. Some minor incidents were observed. These incidents concerned removal of posters, meetings between competing convoys, lack of proper coordination of meetings due to no prior information at the level of the local authorities. V-2. Early Voting

Early voting for defence and security forces took place in an orderly and calm manner on 22^nd April 2015. The process went on at the designated polling stations for these categories of voters. However, isolated cases of some voters casting their votes without voter’s card were reported. Similarly, the absence of representatives of some candidates was also noticed in some polling stations.

VI. POLLING DAY Opening, Voting, Closing and Tallying

Considering the orientations of the debriefing session and from the information collected by the observers after a preliminary review of the reports submitted by the team leaders of each region, the ECOWAS Observation Mission could state as follows:

1. On 25^th April 2015, the voting process started in a peaceful atmosphere across the country at the opening of polling stations which mostly opened between 7:00 and 7:30 am;
2. Most of the election materials were available on time in all polling stations, except in some polling stations where the attendance forms were missing (Lycée deTokoin);
3. The relative presence of representatives of political parties in the polling stations visited even though only representatives of UNIR and CAP 2015 were seen in most polling stations visited in Lomé;
4. The election officials discharged their duties in a professional manner despite the late commencement of the voting in some polling stations; which reflect the quality training received
5. Women and youth were predominant among voters;
6. The presence of security agents in most polling stations;
7. The disabled people were assisted by the persons of their choice or aged were treated in accordance with the electoral law;
8. The voters demonstrated great patience despite the late commencement of voting operations in some polling stations, as an illustration of their desire to exercise their civic rights and responsibilities;
9. In addition to ECOWAS observers, the African Union (AU), UEMOA, CEN-SAD and the Gorée Institute were most noticed in the polling stations visited as well as the national observers such as The High Commission of Human Rights of Togo (HCDH), the Togolese League of

Human Rights, and some civil society organisations;

1. In most of the observed polling stations, the voting closed at 16.00 hours except in cases where there were slight delays in the opening;
2. Overall, the election was conducted in an orderly, transparent and professional manner and the secrecy of voting was generally respected;
3. Overall, the counting, tallying and announcement of partial results at the polling stations were conducted in a transparent, consensual manner and in the presence of the candidate representatives, the observers and the public.

VI. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Apart from these observations, the Mission noticed no hindrance or major challenge likely to affect the integrity of the voting process. It therefore considers that in the overall; the election of 25 April 2015 was free, transparent and organized in an acceptable manner.

To this end, the ECOWAS Mission appreciates the efforts of all stakeholders, especially the people, the Government, the political parties and security forces of Togo for having ensured a calm, peaceful and well conducted election. It particularly commends the sense of responsibility and discipline demonstrated by the voters in exercising their civil rights. The Mission further notes the active participation of women in the voting process.

In particular, the Mission expresses its appreciation to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the successful planning and conduct of the election.

The Mission believes that this election is crucial for the consolidation of democratic governance in Togo and encourages all stakeholders to work towards deepening of political, economic and security reforms necessary for the development of the country.

The Mission calls on all Togolese people, leaders of political parties and their supporters to refrain from any act of violence, intimidation or provocation during this crucial phase of peace-building and consolidation of democracy, which is in the best interest of the nation. It especially encourages all to ensure that order and discipline are respected at all times and further urges all forces involved in ensuring security to continue their joint efforts in strict compliance with the republican spirit. The Mission also urges all candidates to exclusively resort to legal means for the settlement of any dispute arising from this election.

The Mission welcomes the support of international observation and fact finding missions especially in the area of coordination and consultation with political stakeholders in the Togolese Republic. It also expresses its gratitude to the other development partners who contributed through their technical and financial support towards the conduct of a successful election.

The ECOWAS Mission thanks the Togolese authorities and the various bodies involved in the organization of the election and for all security measures taken in order to facilitate the deployment of observers thereby allowing them to effectively carry out their mission.

Done at Lomé, this 26^th Day of April 2015

Head of ECOWAS Observation Mission