Togo Takes Step Toward Senatorial Elections

Politics

Friday, 08 November 2024 15:14

Togo Takes Step Toward Senatorial Elections

(Togo First) - In Togo, the government has taken a significant step toward creating its second parliamentary chamber, the Senate, as mandated by the country's new constitution adopted on May 6, 2024. On November 5, the Council of Ministers issued an ordinance outlining the framework for future senatorial elections.

The ordinance details key aspects of the Senate's organization and function, including the number of senators, their compensation, eligibility criteria, and appointment procedures. It also addresses incompatibilities and methods for filling vacant seats, as well as defining the status of former senators.

This legislative move marks a crucial phase in implementing the bicameral system established by Togo's new constitution. Under this system, the parliament will consist of the National Assembly and the Senate.

The Senate's composition will be unique: two-thirds of its members will be elected by representatives of local authorities, while the remaining third will be appointed by the President of the Council of Ministers (PCM).

The government's initiative to revise the 2003 organic law is necessary to align with the Senate's new roles under the Fifth Republic. Article 98 of the new Constitution permits the adoption of such provisions by ordinance to facilitate the establishment of these new structures.

Before implementation, the ordinance will be submitted to the Constitutional Court for review.

Esaïe Edoh

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.