The Nigerien general elections were held on 21 February 2016, with a run-off on 20 March.

Incumbent President Mahamadou Issoufou ran for re-election with 15 candidates including opposition candidates Seynou Oumarou of the National Movement for the Development of Society and Hama Amadou of the Nigerien Democratic for an African Federation, who had been campaigning from prison.

Hama Amadou had been arrested and held from November till March for alleged involvement in a baby-trafficking scheme, a charge he dismissed as politically motivated. He travelled to France days before the vote to seek medical treatment after being jailed for several months.

The results from the Electoral Commission declared incumbent President, Issoufou as the winner after receiving more than 92% of the run-off votes. Hama Amadou received only 18% of the votes recording a low turnout, which was attributed to the boycott of the elections called on by the opposition.

Preparations for the first round of the votes were marred by violence between supporters of rival camps, arrest of political party members and the announcement by the government that it had foiled a planned coup.

Observers from the African Union stated that they were satisfied with the conduct of the elections despite delays caused in some areas. The growing concern of the Issoufou after his re-election is developing strategies for defense in order to protect Nigeriens from attacks by armed groups from neighboring countries.