A SENSE of fatalism gripped Togo on Wednesday, a day after the government deferred long-delayed general elections set for March 10, citing a logjam within the national electoral commission. “We knew about the quarrels, but it’s really bad for the country,” a businessman said in disgust. “They must come to some sort of understanding to stop the agony of the poor people,” added Koffi, a teacher, who is still waiting for his January salary to be paid. The government Tuesday said the national electoral commission (CENI) has been “paralysed” since December 15 by the opposition’s refusal to join the revamped body that was to oversee the polls, initially scheduled for 2000 before being pushed back to October 2001 and then to March 10. The logjam at CENI forced the latest postponement, which the government roundly blamed on the opposition. – AFP