Togolese await results of parliament, regional elections

Vote counting continued in Togo overnight following Monday’s election for members of parliament and regional representatives. Analysts say the outcome of the vote would likely be a referendum on a controversial constitutional reform adopted this month which allows the parliament to elect the president as opposed to a direct election by voters. President Faure Gnassingbe’s ruling Union for the Republic party already has a majority of seats in parliament, which makes it likely he will remain in power for an unforeseeable period. Gilbert Bawara, Togolese minister for civil service, labor, and social dialogue, tells VOA’s James Butty, voting went on smoothly on Monday under the watchful eye of local and international observers.