Title: Electoral boundaries in Togo: a blatant inequality in the representation of citizens
Introduction :
In a democratic society, it is essential that every citizen is fairly represented in order to guarantee fair and balanced governance. Unfortunately, in Togo, the next legislative elections highlight a worrying disparity in the electoral division. The leader of the National Alliance for Change (ANC), Jean-Pierre Fabre, recently denounced this situation, saying that some MPs represent a much higher number of citizens than others. In this article, we will explore this issue in detail and analyze the consequences of this inequality.
I. The numbers speak for themselves
According to Jean-Pierre Fabre, the representativeness quotient for a deputy from the maritime region in Togo is 141,000 people, while in the Plateau region, a deputy represents only 65,000 people. These figures raise a major issue of fair representation of citizens. Indeed, how can we guarantee a functional democracy when the voice of certain citizens has more weight than that of others?
II. A blatant violation of constitutional equality
The argument put forward by Jean-Pierre Fabre is that this disparity in the electoral division violates article 5 of the Togolese Constitution, which stipulates that all Togolese are equal. He rightly emphasizes that this inequality of representation between regions contradicts the fundamental principles of democracy. How can we claim to respect the will of the people when certain deputies represent more citizens than others?
III. The consequences of this inequality
This inequality in electoral boundaries can have significant repercussions on governance and decision-making in Togo. Indeed, if certain deputies represent a larger number of citizens, this means that their voices will be more influential in parliamentary debates. This creates an imbalance and can result in decisions that do not reflect the real needs and concerns of citizens.
IV. The need for fair electoral redistricting
Faced with this unacceptable situation, it is imperative that the Togolese government carries out a fair electoral redistribution. This would ensure fair and balanced representation of all citizens, regardless of their place of residence. Such a redistribution would require a thorough review of electoral constituencies, taking into account the demographic and geographic characteristics of each region.
Conclusion :
The unequal electoral division in Togo raises essential questions about democracy and the fairness of political representation. It is essential that all Togolese citizens have an equal voice in the electoral process. Fair electoral redistribution is a necessary step to correct this blatant inequality and guarantee a truly representative democracy in Togo.