LOME, Togo (AP) — People in Togo voted in parliamentary elections Monday that tested support for a proposed new constitution that would scrap presidential elections and give lawmakers the power to choose the president.
The opposition and religious leaders say the legislation is an effort by President Faure Gnassingbe, in office since 2005, to prolong his rule. Lawmakers passed the legislation in March after their mandate expired, and it is close to being enacted.
The West African nation has been ruled by the same family for 57 years, initially by Eyadema Gnassingbe and then his son. Faure Gnassingbe took office after elections that the opposition described as a sham. The opposition says the proposed new constitution makes it likely that Gnassingbe will stay on when his mandate expires in 2025.
Authorities cracked down on civic and media freedoms ahead of Monday's vote. Early this month, the government banned protests against the proposed new constitution and the arrest of opposition figures. The electoral commission has banned the Catholic Church from deploying election observers.
In mid-April, a French journalist who arrived to cover the elections was arrested, assaulted and expelled. Togo's media regulator later suspended the accreditation process for foreign journalists.
“We are participating in these elections because we have no alternative,” Jean-Pierre Fabre, an opposition party candidate, told The Associated Press. He added that he was worried about the apparent low voter turnout and fairness of the electoral process.
Some 4.2 million Togolese were registered to vote in the country of about 8 million people. Voters were electing candidates for 113 parliamentary seats — 22 more than in the previous assembly — and for the first time filling 179 senatorial positions. Preliminary results were expected within six days.
Togo’s authorities sealed the borders on Monday for security reasons and dispatched some 12,000 gendarmes and police officers to safeguard the voting process.
Amid a rise in the spread of disinformation during elections in West Africa, authorities warned against disseminating false results or other misleading news.
One voter, Kpedji Kossi Nicabou Sena, said he was voting out of concern for the proposed change to the constitution. “This year’s vote is a crucial vote, it’s a vote that can make a difference for my country,” he said.
Yao Alexandre Adabrah, a citizen living abroad who returned to vote, echoed the concerns: “We don’t the know the consequences of the new constitution that’s coming.”
FILE - Togo's President, Faure Gnassingbé, centre, looks on, prior to the start of the ECOWAS meeting, in Abuja, Nigeria, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. Togolese voters headed to the polls on Monday, April 29, 2024, to vote in the country's parliamentary elections that will test support for a proposed new constitution that would scrap future presidential elections and give lawmakers the power to choose the president instead. (AP Photo/Gbemiga Olamikan, File)
A voter casts her ballot in Togo's regional elections in the capital Lome, Monday April 29, 2024. Togolese voters headed to the polls on Monday to vote in the country's parliamentary elections, which will test support for a proposed new constitution that would scrap future presidential elections and give lawmakers the power to choose the president instead. (AP Photo/Erick Kaglan}
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Freddie Freeman's grand slam keyed a six-run third inning, Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a strong start and the Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to four with a 6-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.
Freeman’s blast off Slade Cecconi (1-4) was part of an onslaught where the first six Dodgers got aboard and scored in the third.
Kiké Hernández and Will Smith also went deep in the inning as Los Angeles improved to 33-17. It is the ninth time in franchise history the Dodgers have at least 33 wins after 50 games.
Yamamoto (5-1) allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out eight in 6 1/3 innings. He threw a season-high 100 pitches, including 69 strikes.
It was the 18th time in 27 games a Dodgers' starter has gone at least six innings.
Daniel Hudson retired the side in the ninth for his third save in five opportunities.
“Offensively we are doing enough to score some runs to win,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I think that there’s room to continue to get better consistency up and down the lineup. But the pitching has been what has been the impetus for this hot streak.”
Arizona's Ketel Marte extended his hitting streak to 19 games. It is the longest run in the majors this season and tied for fifth-longest in franchise history.
Kyle Newman added three hits, his fifth multi-hit effort in the last nine games. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Jake McCarthy had back-to-back homers in the eighth, but the Diamondbacks have dropped four of six.
“I was very pleased with our approach. We built innings and had baserunners. We couldn’t get the big hit at the right time,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said.
Freeman's grand slam was the sixth of his career and his third since the start of last season. He is one of seven players with three over the past two seasons.
The Dodgers are the only team in the majors with two players with at least three grand slams since the start of 2023. Max Muncy leads the team with four.
“I’m not looking for the grand slam, but just trying to keep the line moving and get a base hit there. Ultimately, I was able to get it out," Freeman said.
It didn't take the Dodgers long to respond after the Diamondbacks opened the scoring on Joc Pederson's RBI base hit to center.
Hernández led off the inning with a drive to center to tie it at 1-all. Miguel Rojas and Mookie Betts followed with singles before Shohei Ohtani drew a walk to load the bases.
Freeman then got hold of Cecconi's fastball that was low in the strike zone and put it over the wall in right-center for his fifth homer of the year. It also was the third grand slam this season for the Dodgers.
Five pitches later, Smith added a solo shot to left-center, marking the second time this season the Dodgers have had back-to-back homers.
“I gave them pitches to hit and they hit them," Cecconi said. “It’s obvious that they hit a lot of home runs and put a lot of barrels on baseballs and they did that in the third.”
TRAINER'S ROOM
Diamondbacks: OF Alek Thomas (strained left hamstring) has started pool running and taking live at-bats.
Dodgers: RHP Evan Phillips (right hamstring strain) is expected to have a two- to three-game rehab assignment sometime this week. ... RHP Bobby Miller (right shoulder inflammation) will throw a three-inning simulated game Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Arizona RHP Brandon Pfaadt (1-3, 4.17 ERA) takes on Los Angeles RHP Gavin Stone (4-1, 3.27 ERA) in Tuesday's middle game of the series.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Sparks' Cameron Brink, left, and Rickea Jackson, right, throw the ceremonial first pitches before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, May 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Joe Mantiply throws to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Kevin Newman, left, throws over Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, to compete a double play after a ground ball hit by Dodgers' Freddie Freeman during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto follows through to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. makes a sliding catch on a fly ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, is safe at first base on a bunt single past Arizona Diamondbacks first base Christian Walker, right, during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto points to the home plate umpire during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, May 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Kiké Hernández, left, celebrates after his solo home run with Teoscar Hernández during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, May 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Kevin Newman, right, scores past Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, on a single by Diamondbacks' Joc Pederson during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, May 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman watches his grand slam during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, May 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates after his grand slam with teammate Shohei Ohtani (17) during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, May 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
