Togo's presidential election set for February 28 has been delayed until March 4 following an opposition request, a presidential decree read out on state television announced on Thursday.
"The date for the presidential election is fixed for Thursday, March 4. Polling stations will be open from 07:00 to 17:00 throughout the country," the decree said.
The delay comes in response to a request from the opposition during talks in Burkina Faso with President Blaise Compaore who is mediating inter-Togolese dialogue.
"With the aim of permanently seeking consensus and maintaining a peaceful climate during the electoral process, the head of state (Faure Gnassingbe), in consultation with Compaore, decided during a cabinet meeting to delay the election," the decree said.
Campaigning, which had been due to start on February 13, will now start on February 16. In power since 2005, Gnassingbe is running for another term of office backed by the ruling Togolese People's Rally (RPT).
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