AfricaNews correspondent in Lome, Kofi Agyepong, said there is no cause for alarm but indigenes fear a post election violence might erupt if the poll is not handled professionally.

“I am scared,” confessed Johana Joti, a student of Lomé, to AfricaNews.

However, her colleague Joycelyn Tsukpui was confident they are matured enough to run a peaceful election.

She stated: “I tell you we have learnt our lessons and we won’t fight.”

Our reporter said for others the election has haunted them in their dreams and wished it was all over. “We wish there will be no election violence, we pray hard,” a street vendor Samuel Akakpo added.

Agyepong said the atmosphere in Togo is generally serene without any fear despite the feel of less security on the ground.

He said on the eve of the elections local communities organized football matches to drum home the sense of peace and unity among the people.

Meanwhile, the election has taken off smoothly and poll centres would be closed at 5pm.

Seven people are contesting for the presidency.