Legislative election results

*and ^ = seats won as a total for a two-party joint ticket.

Introduction

The October 20 Niger Parliamentary elections were shrouded in controversy as a constitutional crisis detracted legitimacy in the final election results. Prior to the poll, President Mamadou Tandja, having served a constitutionally maximum two terms in office, called for a referendum to gauge whether the Nigerien people would support him in running for another term of office. The country's highest court ruled that the controversial referendum was illegal and unconstitutional. As a result, Tandja dissolved the Constitutional Court, as well as the National Assembly. Tandja, through decree, thereafter announced a new date for Parliamentary elections and went ahead with the referendum.

Despite a general boycott of the referendum by most opposition parties, Tandja used his overall majority in the referendum as a mandate to change the country's constitution and allocated himself the capacity to run for another term as President. Further, he shifted the country's governing system from semipresidential to fully presidential, thus giving himself more power. According to Tandja, these actions were necessary for securing major mining projects with Chinese and French companies. French State-owned energy firm Areva has been extracting uranium from Niger for years and plans to invest €1,2 billion in a new mine, while the China National Petroleum Corporation signed a $5-billion deal with the African country in 2008.

Election boycott

Tandja's monopolisation of power subsequently caused certain opposition parties to boycott the election, leaving the ruling National Movement for the Development of Society (MNSD) and government-allied parties to contest the election. As a result, the MNSD won a commanding 76 seats in the National Assembly. The Social Democratic Rally (RSD) came second, winning 15 seats, followed by the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) with seven seats. The remainder of the seats was distributed to smaller parties and independent candidates.

The Democratic and Social Convention and the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism, which previously won 22 and 17 seats respectively, boycotted the election. Smaller parties, the Nigerien Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally, the Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress and the Union for Democracy and the Republic, also boycotted the election.

International condemnation

The boycott has subsequently detracted from the credibility and legitimacy of the election, and has drawn widespread condemnation from opposition parties, regional bloc the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), and the broader international community. Ecowas has since suspended Niger from the organisation over what it calls the "holding of elections being a clear move by the authorities to further entrench the constitutional illegality currently prevailing in the country". The African Union has come out in support of Ecowas's decision to suspend the West African nation.

The US government has since urged Ecowas to impose full sanctions on Niger. However, according to an Ecowas spokesperson, the regional bloc does not intend harming the people of Niger, but intends rather to put political pressure, as opposed to economic pressure, on the Tandja-led government. In this way, trade in the country, as well as its economy will not be affected by the decision.

In response, Niger argues that Ecowas and the international community misunderstand the political situation in the country and will continue with dialogue, so that the organisation reconsiders its position.

Future Challenges

In the wake of the election the situation in Niger remains tense. Action and decisions taken by Ecowas have so far had little impact on President Tandja, as political exclusion from the regional bloc will do little to deter foreign investment and regional trading between the Ecowas States. Opposition parties are currently politically powerless, with no representation in Tandja's new Parliament. They therefore rely exclusively on external pressure from the international community, which seems reluctant to take any drastic steps, other than excluding the country from Ecowas.

Main Sources

Polity - Ruling party wins boycotted Niger vote (October 26, 2009).
Polity - Niger opposition leader faces graft charges at home (November 2, 2009).
Polity - Defiant Niger toughs out sanctions by neighbours (October 21, 2009).
Polity - Ecowas suspends Niger, says election invalid (October 21, 2009).
Polity - Communique of the 207th Meeting of the Peace and Security Council (October 30, 2009).
Polity - Early turnout thin in boycotted Niger vote (October 20, 2009).
Polity - Niger Parliament vote to harden Tandja's power (October 19, 2009).
Polity - Ecowas to meet on Guinea, Niger concerns (October 13, 2009).
Polity - Tandja party claims win in boycotted Niger vote (October 23, 2009).
Polity - Ruling party takes strong lead in Niger's election (October 22, 2009).
Polity - Pre election report: Niger (October 16, 2009).
TimesLive - Ruling party sweeps Niger election (October 24, 2009).
Reuters - Update 3 - Ecowas suspends Niger, says election invalid (October 21, 2009).
Voice of America news - Preliminary Legislative election results show win for Niger ruling party (October 23, 2009).
Voice of America news - Niger says Ecowas suspension is a mistake (October 21, 2009).