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Nigerās Election to Return to Civilian Rule Delayed to 31st January

   Peter Clottey 07 September 2010
   The  head of the junta in Niger, Major Salou Djibo, who took over in a
   February  18,  2010 coup that toppled President Mamadou Tandja, 24 Feb
   2010 (file photo)

Photo: AFP

   The  head of the junta in Niger, Major Salou Djibo, who took over in a
   February  18,  2010 coup that toppled President Mamadou Tandja, 24 Feb
   2010 (file photo)

   A  top  official  of  Nigerās  biggest  political party, the Party for
   Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-Tarayya), said several political parties
   have  welcomed  the  electoral  commissionās  decision to postpone the
   originally  scheduled  3^rd  January  presidential  vote  at least one
   month.

   Sani   Iro,   communications   director   of   PNDS-Tarayya  said  the
   postponement  will  allow  the electoral body to adequately prepare to
   ensure a free, fair and credible election

   āIn  fact,  this  postponement  is  due  to (the) schedule because the
   (electoral)  commission  realized  that the constitutional court needs
   two months to verify and proclaim the results of the elections. In our
   view,  this  has no harm and itās something normal that we can concede
   and accept,ā he said.

   Nigerās  electoral  commission announced Tuesday that the presidential
   vote will now be held on 31^st January.

   Niger's  National  Transitional  Council  had  earlier announced 26^th
   December  as  the  date  for the first round and 24^th January for the
   second round, including municipal elections.

AFP Photo

   Deposed President Mamadou Tandja

   Analysts  say  the  election  will restore Nigerās democracy after the
   military  junta  overthrew longtime President Mamadou Tandja in a coup
   dāĆ©tat on 18^th February.

   Iro  said some Nigeriens have expressed concerns over the postponement
   of the presidential vote.

   āThere  are  some  Nigeriens  who do not understand (the postponement,
   and)  think that it is a kind of trick by the government to stay maybe
   one more month,ā Iro said.

   Meanwhile,  officials  of  the  electoral  commission were sworn in in
   June.  The officials were told to prepare for the elections and ensure
   that by 1^st March, the country's new democratic president is sworn in
   as recommended by the Transitional Council.

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