Brussels, 29/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Union has called on the people of Togo to continue to show responsibility in order that the general elections of 25 July - the full provisional results of which were published on 29 July and announced victory for the party of President Faure Gnassingbé (the Union for the Republic), leading to challenges by the opposition - do not lead to violence. As soon as the partial provisional results were announced, on the evening of 27 July, the EU congratulated the people of Togo for their turnout in the elections, but also called on the political players to use only legal means to resolve any dispute.
Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, published the following declaration (only available in French: our translation). “I pay tribute to the sense of civic duty of the Togolese, many of whom turned out to vote peacefully, and to the commitment of the political parties, which made it possible to create the necessary conditions for the election process to unfold correctly. I note the efforts made by the electoral authorities of Togo in organising these elections and urge the independent national elections commission to do all in its power to ensure the full transparency of the electoral process right to its end, in accordance with the details laid down in the electoral code. It is vital that all of the people of Togo continue to show responsibility by choosing dialogue, rejecting violence, and using only legal means to resolve any dispute. These general elections and the local elections to follow, as well as the swift implementation of the political reforms, represent important stages towards reinforcing democracy in Togo and towards a peaceful and reconciled society.” (AN/transl.fl)