Niger’s ruling party candidate, Mohamed Bazoum, seems to be in the lead in the second round of presidential elections, as the West African nation prepares for a transition of power that would mark its first since independence.
According to data released by Niger’s Electoral Commission on Monday, provisional results from 210 out of 266 constituencies showed that Bazoum was in a comfortable lead, winning a 57.7 per cent share of votes counted so far against his main challenger and former president, Mahamane Ousmane. In the first round, Ousmane took nearly 17 per cent of the vote based on the support of a coalition of 18 opposition parties as well as the support of Hama Amadou, previously thought to be the most formidable candidate against Bazoum. However, Amadou’s presidential aspirations were cut short because of a conviction for baby trafficking which he has claimed to be politically motivated.
An Election Of Firsts
Nigeriens went to the polls on Sunday in the second round of the country’s presidential election. The run-off between the two political heavyweights is expected to pave the way for Niger’s first democratic transition of power since independence from France more than six decades ago.
The vote was called after outgoing President Mahamadou Issoufou announced he was voluntarily stepping down after two five-year terms. “I’m proud to be the first democratically elected president in our history to be able to pass the baton to another democratically elected president,” said Issoufou as he voted in Niamey.
Seven Die In Landmine Blast
As voting came to an end, at least seven people were killed and three more were seriously injured when a vehicle belonging to the electoral commission hit a landmine. The blast took place in the rural commune of Dargol in Tillabery region, some 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Niger’s capital, Niamey, in the so-called tri-border region where Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso converge.
According to Harouna Mounkaila, vice president of the commission’s local branch, “They were leaving to drop off the ballot boxes and the members of the polling station.”
Results from the polls are expected in a couple of days.
