(3 minutes read)
· Mohamed Bazoum, won the presidential run-off elections
· Earlier, the opposition denounced an electoral “hold-up”, demanding the immediate suspension of the publication of results
· They said there were large scale theft, ballot-box stuffing and threats against voters, without providing evidence
Niger now has a new president, though the scene is set for a showdown as that had happened in other countries in Africa in recent times. Mohamed Bazoum, won the presidential run-off elections, according to provisional results announced by the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI). He bagged 55.75% of the votes polled against the opposition candidate Mahamane Ousmane who could get only 44.25%. The polling percentage was 62.5% of the total voters in the country.
The provisional results have to be reviewed by the Constitutional Court. In absolute terms, Bazoum got 2,501,459 votes against 1,985,736 for Ousmane. There were over 7.4 million voters. The opposition candidate has got only 17% in the first round as against 39.3% received by Bazoum. Since none of the candidates did get 50% or more, it necessitated a runoff as mandated by the Constitution.
Earlier, the opposition denounced an electoral “hold-up”, demanding the immediate suspension of the publication of results. Opposition supporters took to the streets and were chased by police using tear gas and baton
The opposition led by the former president alleged large scale fraud before the result was declared. They said there was large scale theft, ballot-box stuffing and threats against voters, without providing evidence.
