The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of Togo has announced that applications for the municipal elections scheduled for July 10, 2025, will be accepted from May 20 to 29, 2025. The announcement, made in a press release published on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, invites political parties, party groups, and independent candidates to apply.
The CENI outlined the eligibility requirements for candidates, including Togolese nationality, being at least 25 years old on the date of application, enjoyment of civil and political rights, and the ability to read, write, and speak the official language. Candidates must also have resided in Togo for at least six months and not be subject to any electoral ineligibility.
The voting system for the municipal elections will be proportional representation by closed list. CENI President Dago Yabre explained that “municipal councilors are elected by direct universal suffrage, using a closed list system based on proportional representation. Each list includes a number of candidates greater than the number of seats to be filled by a ratio of one-quarter. Candidates are declared elected in the order in which they appear on the list.”
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Application forms will be available from Monday, May 12, 2025, at the offices of the Independent Local Electoral Commissions (CELI). The CENI warned that incomplete applications will be automatically rejected.
Upon registration of the application, a provisional receipt will be issued. The final receipt will be given to the lead candidate on the list upon presentation of the deposit payment receipt.
In an effort to encourage women’s participation in local politics, the authorities have implemented an incentive measure. The deposit amount is set at 50,000 CFA francs per candidate but is reduced to 25,000 CFA francs for women, half the amount required for male candidates.
