Togolese President Extends Lead in Vote

Togo’s incumbent President Faure Gnassingbe has extended a strong lead over his main rival in a weekend poll, according to the latest partial results issued on Tuesday.
Gnassingbe looked poised to win a third term, with 69% of the vote against almost 18% for challenger Jean-Pierre Fabre, according to figures from the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).
Gnassingbe’s family has ruled the small west African country for almost half a century.
The president, who first came to power in 2005 on the death of his iron-fisted father Gnassingbe Eyadema, saw his bid for a third term sharply boosted by overwhelming support from the north of the country, a family stronghold. Figures released so far by the CENI concern about 26 percent of the estimated number of voters in Saturday’s election.
Tchaboure Gogue, one of three candidates from small opposition parties who chose to take on both Fabre and the president, also found support in his native north.