Togo's presidential election sees over 50% voter turnout

Voter turnout in Saturday's presidential election ranged between 53 and 55 percent, said M. Taffa Tabiou, Chairman of the National Independent Electoral Gommission.

Tabiou made the remarks during a special broadcasting called the "night of election" on the national television TVT.

"At this time, the centralization process is going on. As for the voter turnout, it should probably range between 53 and 55 percent, according to the latest estimate that I received," Tabiou said.

More than 3.5 million voters went to cast their vote on Saturday in 8,994 voting stations established across the West African country of about 6.2 million inhabitants.

They had to choose among the incumbent head of State Faure Gnassingbe and four candidates of the opposition Jean-Pierre Fabre, Gerry Taama, Aime Gogue and Mouhamed Traore.

Gnassingbe came to power in April 2005, following special election after the death of his father General Gnassingbe Eyadema who ran Togo from 1967 till his death.

Gnassingbe was reelected in March 2010 election with 60.89 percent of the votes and is seeking a third term in office.