The United States on Friday called for free and fair in Togo and said it will be observing the elections closely.

"On Togo, there will be presidential elections in Togo this Sunday. The United States, along with the Economic Community of West African States, calls on the Togolese authorities to conduct these elections in a free and fair manner," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said at a briefing.

"We and our partners will be observing the conduct of balloting and vote counting process to ensure that international standards are followed and respected," he said.

Ereli said that the United Stated called on all political parties and their leaders in Togo "to insist on peaceful conduct by their supporters."

Togo's presidential elections were called after Gnassingbe, son of former Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema, resigned on Feb. 25 under mounting pressure.

Source: Xinhua