Two sides have claimed victory in Togo's presidential election as the main challenger to incumbent Faure Gnassingbe cried foul, citing "revelations of fraud".

The home of a key Togo opposition candidate was surrounded by security forces for a number of hours after polls closed in elections widely expected to see President Faure Gnassingbe claim a fourth term in power.

The West African nation of Togo, where President Faure Gnassingbe is seeking a controversial fourth term Saturday, has been ruled by the same family for more than half a century.

Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe on Thursday insisted he was not a "dictator", days before an election in which he is aiming to extend his family's decades-long domination over the West African nation.

When Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe took to the stage for an election rally in the city of Sokode this month, the crowd chanted the campaign's popular catchphrase: "Knockout blow!"

Togo's parliament has voted a constitutional change allowing President Faure Gnassingbe, whose family has ruled the small West African country since 1967, to run two more times and potentially remain in power until 2030.

Togo's opposition has accused the government of deploying police and soldiers in a brutal crackdown in which two protesters were killed during a rally against upcoming elections. Security forces fired teargas and fought running battles on Saturday with demonstrators in the capital, Lome, and several other cities across the country. Both the government and the…

Togo's opposition coalition has called for workers across the country to stay at home on Tuesday as campaigning starts for parliamentary elections later this month.

After six months of political crisis, a dialogue between Togo's government and the opposition opening on Monday is seen by many as the last chance to resolve a bitter dispute over the rule of embattled President Faure Gnassingbe.

Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe broke his silence after months of protests against his rule, calling on the opposition to "dialogue" in his New Year address given late Wednesday.

Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe was on Tuesday urged not to seek re-election in 2020 to guarantee his place in history as the man who ushered in peaceful political change.

At least 16 people have been killed and scores more injured in anti-government protests that have seen hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets across the country.