Niger Elections

Despite threats by rebel nomads, Niger held its first open election in 32 years Saturday, a referendum on a constitution that would allow multi-party presidential and legislative balloting next year. A national democracy conference ousted President Ali Saibou in November, 1991, and put transitional Prime Minister Amadou Cheiffou in power. Multi-party elections have already been postponed three times.

Niger's new military junta has announced a timetable for democratic elections and a hand-over to civilian rule before the end of the year. Parliamentary and presidential elections will be held in November, and the new president will be sworn into office Dec. 31, junta leader Daouda Malam Wanke announced in a radio broadcast. The announcement came less than two weeks after the junta's takeover following the assassination of President Ibrahim Bare Mainassara.

Niger's new military junta has announced a timetable for democratic elections and a hand-over to civilian rule before the end of the year. Parliamentary and presidential elections will be held in November, and the new president will be sworn into office Dec. 31, junta leader Daouda Malam Wanke announced in a radio broadcast. The announcement came less than two weeks after the junta's takeover following the assassination of President Ibrahim Bare Mainassara.

In this country's first free balloting in 32 years, voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum that will lead to presidential and legislative elections, officials said Sunday. Voters approved a new constitution by 89%, according to results from 3,743 polling stations, the National Electoral Commission reported. Results from only 142 stations were still pending. By approving the constitution, voters set the stage for multi-party presidential and legislative elections some time next year.

In this country's first free balloting in 32 years, voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum that will lead to presidential and legislative elections, officials said Sunday. Voters approved a new constitution by 89%, according to results from 3,743 polling stations, the National Electoral Commission reported. Results from only 142 stations were still pending. By approving the constitution, voters set the stage for multi-party presidential and legislative elections some time next year.

Despite threats by rebel nomads, Niger held its first open election in 32 years Saturday, a referendum on a constitution that would allow multi-party presidential and legislative balloting next year. A national democracy conference ousted President Ali Saibou in November, 1991, and put transitional Prime Minister Amadou Cheiffou in power. Multi-party elections have already been postponed three times.