Togo's parliament has voted to reinstate the two-term limit for presidents, but the change does not apply to the current leader.
President Faure Gnassingbé will be eligible to run in future elections in 2020 and 2025, meaning he could potentially remain in power until 2030.
Opposition politicians wanted the new cap to apply to President Gnassingbé but the ruling party proposal won out.
The announcement was made shortly before midnight after 90 out 91 MPs cast a secret ballot in favour of the constitutional revisions.
The matter has stirred controversy in recent years.
Yet the changes are not so surprising given that two-thirds of the representatives are allied to the governing party, following last year's legislative election which the opposition boycotted.
During a debate in parliament, several MPs threatened to boycott the vote over a proposal to also extend the presidential mandate to seven years.
In the end, lawmakers voted to stick with five years.
The Gnassingbé family is the longest-running political dynasty in Africa - Faure Gnassingbé succeeded his father in 2005 after his more than 50 years of autocratic rule.
Latest Stories
-
MHA declares May as Purple Month for Mental Health Awareness
1 min -
WAEC arrests former headmaster over illegal students registration
12 mins -
MeToo founder Tarana Burke defiant after Harvey Weinstein ruling
18 mins -
Be alert, insist on decent messages – Dwumfour tells media
45 mins -
Father jailed 10 years for burning daughter’s genitals with hot cutlasses
55 mins -
I aim to help Ghana produce world-class athletes – Asamoah Gyan
1 hour -
Ashanti Regional Minister alleges sabotage in electricity supply
1 hour -
2024 Elections: Dampare urges Ghanaians to prioritise patriotism and display maturity
1 hour -
‘Let it rot’ campaign hits fish prices in Egypt
1 hour -
Otumfuo chalks 25 years on Golden Stool today
1 hour -
Saudi could get first Miss Universe contestant this year
2 hours -
Ghana Shippers’ Authority initiates steps to sign Service Level Agreements with stakeholders
2 hours -
Fuse ODG supports rising artiste, Fred Kobby, with funds for music video
2 hours -
Mohbad’s toxicology result finally ready
2 hours -
Giggs releases ‘Hallelujah’ video featuring Lojay
2 hours