Seven judges to replace electoral commission

Togo's government announced on Wednesday the names of the seven judges who were approved by the Constitutional Court to take over the functions of the national electoral commission. The Constitutional Court confirmed the nominations on 25 April, saying the electoral commission had created a national crisis by failing to organise legislative elections. The confirmations were made in the capital, Lome, the office of the Prime Minister said in a communiqué. Togo's electoral code stipulates that if the commission (Commission Electorale Nationale Independante), becomes "inoperational or dysfunctional", the government can nominate a team of at least five judges to replace it. The Constitutional Court however, has to confirm that the commission is dysfunctional, the communiqué said. The commission, whose membership was composed of both opposition and government parties, had been beset by months of disagreements, accusations and counter-accusations. Originally scheduled for October 2001 but postponed several times, the elections were meant to replace the 1999 legislative polls. These polls were boycotted by the opposition on grounds that 1998 presidential elections, won by President Gnassingbe Eyadema, had been rigged. Since then, a political standoff has ensued. The seven judges are: Komlan Assogbavi, Kouassi Togbe Dotse, Akibou Idrissou, Yempab Lare Kantchi, Kokou Kpomegbe, Komlan Missite, and Gnakouwe Abala Petchelebia.