After three years of exercise, the mandate of the current members of the High Council of Togolese Abroad (HCTE) ends in November 2022. Consequently, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Outside, Pr. Robert Dussey, launched on July 18, 2022, the electoral process leading to the designation of country delegates for the 2e term of office running from 2022 to 2025. The launch of this process, which a few weeks following the closing of the census of Togolese in the diaspora, will elect a total of 48 country delegates instead of 77 previously. A reduction decided on in the light of the lessons learned from the first mandate, with the idea of improving the system and strengthening its effectiveness.
The High Council of Togolese Abroad (HTCE), a representative body of the Togolese diaspora in all countries of the world, renews its country delegates. The process of this renewal was launched yesterday by Minister Robert Dussey of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad. “As for the first edition, the electoral process will take place entirely online, the only way today to reach all Togolese outside, wherever they are. An Independent Electoral Commission composed of personalities enjoying good moral probity will lead the process “, said the Dussey ministry. For these elections, “innovations” were made to the electoral system to improve its efficiency. Thus, the number of country delegates has increased from 77 to 48, at the rate of 22 for Africa, 5 for the Americas-Caribbean zone, 7 for the Asia-Oceania zone and 14 for Europe, informed the Minister, stating that these amendments are intended to ” have a much tighter group to facilitate interactions and decision-making “. Coming following a first term of 3 years, following the establishment of this umbrella organization for the Togolese diaspora, in 2019, the renewal will set up a new body, whose role is to serve as an interface between the government and the Togolese from the outside. For the elections, country representatives, voters and candidates can go to the dedicated official portal, where all the relevant information is published.
The stages of membership renewal
According to this portal, the renewal of the members of the High Council of Togolese Abroad (HCTE) will go through several stages, in particular the launch of the call for applications, the validation of applications, the online vote, the counting, the publication results, official installation and training of members. The mode of election of the country delegates of the HCTE consists of a ballot organized entirely online. Each delegate is elected by expatriate voters in his country of residence and regularly registered on the electoral list. This list is made up of Togolese abroad who took part in the 2019 election, those who enlisted during the census campaign of Togolese abroad and those who, not appearing in either of these two categories but who, aged 21 and over, will have registered on the dedicated platform during the period, from July 18 to September 15, 2022. A voter can only vote once and exclusively for their country of residence.
Candidates for the post of country delegates apply online by completing an application form, in particular to assess the ability to assume the missions assigned to the members of the HCTE. A mission and profile sheet is drawn up for this purpose. For all other additional information, the HCTE tab or the hcte.diaspora.tg platform are available. Already, the Minister invites Togolese abroad to mobilize to participate massively in this election of their representatives within the HCTE, a body that allows these Togolese to become more involved in socio-economic life. from their homeland, Togo.
The HCTE and its missions
The HCTE is an advisory body with association status, non-partisan, non-discriminatory and non-profit. It is part of the implementation of the government roadmap for Togolese abroad initiated since April 2019. The HCTE is not affiliated with any denominational, philosophical or political obedience. It relies on the Diaspora Desk and acts as the interface between the government and the Togolese diaspora on all issues of common interest. The HCTE therefore remains the preferred channel for engaging, in an orderly and inclusive manner, the actions of the diaspora in the national development process. Its objectives being, among others, to bring together and represent all Togolese residing abroad, to promote everywhere the defense of the rights and interests of Togolese abroad, while providing them with assistance in case of need. It is also a question of ensuring the link between the public authorities of Togo and the local authorities of the host country on questions of decentralized cooperation, in close collaboration with the diplomatic and consular posts.
Bernardin ADJOSSE
