Niger
Incumbent Issoufou must be in Niger in the run-off election
In Niger, the strategy of President Mahamadou Issoufou has not been fulfilled. He must be against the imprisoned opposition politician Hama Amadou in the ballot. Its supporters celebrate the win.
What a Wahlkrimi in Niger. Five days have many of the 18 million residents of the counting of the presidential election with great excitement followed, until the national independent electoral Commission (Ceni) early Friday evening finally announced: the incumbent Mahamadou Issoufou has with 48,41% not the absloute majority is reached, it comes to the run-off election between him and the opposition politician Hama Amadou.
So had it in the West African country even many people predicted. “A Ballot. This is quite safe”, this was about the election Sunday, the estimation of voters Abdoulaye Abdou Garba, in Niamey, the choice is gone. In the capital are increasingly opposition politicians have been elected. In the meantime, lay Issoufou however, with over 52 percent up front.
It remains exciting: The ballot will take place on 20. March
Great Tradition of the second round
Garbas assessment have many live divided. Because in the Sahel state, in the well 18 million people live, have Stichwahlen Tradition. With one exception in the year 1996, in which Ibrahim Baré Maïnassaras at a whopping 52 percent triumphed. Massive election rigging it was then. Previously had the Colonel is also the incumbent President from office geputscht. “If we so not such a Situation, then there will always be for the ballot alliances, in order for a President”, said Souley Adji, a political scientist at the Abdou-Moumouni University in Niamey.
For the incumbent President will be a runoff in the opinion of the political scientists are now particularly difficult. The balance of his five years of reign falls mainly in the area of social development from bad. “The Numbers speak for themselves,” said Souley Adji. Whether illiteracy rate, medical care or educational opportunities for girls: The Sahel state is always on the lowest ranks.
By: Seini Oumarou
Furthermore, I’m Issoufou in the past, numerous supporters lost even before the 21. February in the opposition Alliance Copa-2016 together had closed. Whose declared aim is now, with a strong candidate, officeholder Issoufou to fall. The Prime candidate would have instead of, as now, Hama Amadou – he is the runner-up with 17,79 percent of the vote – also Seini Oumarou (12,11%) hot can. Vice versa this means, however, also: Copa-2016 could be in the run-up to a candidate to make a very clear sign.
K. o. victory of the office holder stirs up doubts and rumors
Nevertheless, it is for political scientists, Adji a strong Alliance. “Old allies,” he calls them. “You have already ruled. It is very likely that such an Alliance work.” It keeps you in Niger is not always and long to such forecasts. Five years ago, did Mahamadou Issoufou and Hama Amadou against the current third placed Seini Oumarou. The latter lost the presidential run-off. Now the former rivals to show how good you are in the opposing camp to work together.
To avoid this, had the supporters of the President like a K. o. victory in the first round of speaking, what in the Land of rumors, skepticism and doubt had taken care of. Suspicious were especially the followers of candidate Hama Amadou, for months in prison, and trafficking in children accused. His followers see in this accusation, however, a political intrigue.
In prison because of accusations of trafficking in children: an opposition politician Hama Amadou
Criticism of the election result
One of his supporters said on Thursday evening, behind closed doors: According to internal calculations are likely to Issoufou a maximum of 38 percent of the votes, is eliminated. This is also a criticism of the independent national electoral Commission, the Ceni. You are in the last days also organisational deficiencies are accused of. So came the Wahlmaterial not many places in time.
Voted positive, however, are Issoufous followers. “According to our assessment, was of course transparent. To this result, are also the observers have come. From our point of view, there is therefore no reason at all, the results in any way to doubt,” says Assoumana Malam Issa, the office of the President. Under no circumstances would you as the “other parties” behavior.
The people freed its President
66,75% of the population participating in the election
The supporters of Hama Amadou’s see in the upcoming Stíchwahl a significant victory. What happens if Amadou on 20. March actually elected President, and they will be in Niamey so far no one officially expressed. For Souleymane Lompo, to Amadou’s office, is heard the answer, however, is already clear: “Then he comes finally out of jail free, and we can say: The people of the Niger has its President out of jail brought.”