AFRICAN ELECTIONS DATABASE
Home | About the Database | Site Updates | Recent Elections | Terms and Definitions | Election Calendar | Electoral Authorities | Election Chronology | Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights
Elections in Niger
 
Political Profile
Political System: Democracy
President: Mamadou Tandja (MNSD-Nassara) [since 22 December 1999; elected 1999, re-elected 2004] The President is elected by direct popular vote for a 5-year term. Electoral System: Two Round (Run-off).
Prime Minister: Seyni Oumarou (MNSD-Nassara) [since 07 June 2007] The Prime Minister is appointed by the President.
National Assembly [unicameral] (113 Seats) Members are elected by direct popular vote through parallel systems - 105 in 8 multi-member constituencies using the party-list proportional representation system and 8 from special single-member constituencies using the first-past-the-post system; members serve 5-year terms.
Political Situation since Independence
1960-1974 One Party State (PPN-RDA)
1974-1989 Military Regime
1989-1991 One Party State (MNSD)
1991-1993 Multiparty Transition
1993-1996 Democracy
1996         Military Regime
1996-1999 Restricted Democratic Practice
1999         Transitional Government
1999-        Democracy
2007 Freedom House Rating: Political Rights - 3, Civil Liberties - 3, Status: Partly Free
Next Scheduled Presidential Election: 2009
Next Scheduled National Assembly Election: 2009
Political Parties: ANDP - Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress, ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya - Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya - Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya, CDS-Rahama - Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama, MDP-Alkawali - Movement for Democracy and Progress-Alkawali, MNSD-Nassara - National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara (center-right), PSDN-Alheri - Niger Social Democratic Party-Alheri, PDP-Daraja - Party for People's Dignity-Daraja, PMT-Albarka - Workers' Movement Party-Albarka, PNA-Al Ouma - Nigerien Self-Management Party-Al Ouma, PNDS-Tarayya - Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya (center-left, social democratic), PPN-RDA - Nigerien Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally, RDP-Jama'a - Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama'a, RSD-Gaskiya - Social Democratic Rally-Gaskiya, UDFP-Sawaba - Union of Popular Forces for Democracy and Progress-Sawaba, UDPS-Amana - Union for Democracy and Social Progress-Amana, UDR-Tabbat - Union for Democracy and the Republic-Tabbat, UND-Sawaba - Nigerien Democratic Union-Sawaba, UNI - Union of Independent Nigeriens, UNIRD - National Union of Independents for Democratic Renewal (authoritarian), UPDP-Chamoua - Union of Democratic Patriots and Progressives-Chamoua.
Coalitions: Alliance of the Forces for Change (AFC) [Formed soon after the 1993 National Assembly election] Member parties include the Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama (CDS-Rahama), Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya (PNDS-Tarayya), Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya (ANDP-Zaman Lahiya), Niger Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally (PPN-RDA), Union for Democracy and Social Progress-Chamoua (UDPS-Chamoua), and the Niger Social Democratic Party-Alheri (PSDN-Alheri).
 
Election Results
 
 
Presidential
--Single Party: 1965, 1970
--Multiparty: 1993, 1996, 1999, 2004
Legislative
--Single Party: 1965, 1970, 1989
--Multiparty: 1959, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2004
Referenda: 1987, 1989, 1992, 1996, 1999
Municipal: 2004
 
 
1959 Election

Registered Voters

Not Available

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

Not Available (N/A)

The Nigerien Democratic Union-Sawaba (UND-Sawaba) was defeated by an alliance dominated by the Niger Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally (PPN-RDA). No figures are available.
 
Single Party Elections
Sole Legal Party: Nigerien Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally (PPN-RDA)

30 September 1965 Presidential Election (Hamani Diori re-elected unopposed)

Registered Voters

1,707,044

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

1,680,570 (98.4%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

       1,658

Total Valid Votes

1,678,912

Hamani Diori

1,678,912 (100.00%)

21 October 1965 National Assembly Election (50 Seats)

01 October 1970 Presidential Election (Hamani Diori re-elected unopposed)

Registered Voters

1,942,744

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

1,910,626 (98.3%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

       2,953

Total Valid Votes

1,907,673

Hamani Diori

1,907,673 (100.00%)

22 October 1970 National Assembly Election (50 Seats)

Note: Hamani Diori was first elected president by the National Assembly on 08 November 1960.
 
16 June 1987 "National Charter" Referendum
Main Points: Establishment of non-elective, consultative institutions at both national and local levels.
Ballot Question: Do you approve of the National Charter issued by decree?

Registered Voters

3,370,000 (approx.)

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

3,262,314 (approx. 96.8%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

       6,991

Total Valid Votes

3,255,323

Results

Number of Votes

% of Votes

"Yes" Votes

3,241,589

99.58%

"No" Votes

13,734

00.42%

 
24 September 1989 Constitutional Referendum
Main Points: Presidential Regime, One Party [The new constitution provided for the continued role of the armed forces in government]

Registered Voters

3,477,874

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

Not Available (95.1%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

Not Available

Total Valid Votes

3,299,450

Results

Number of Votes

% of Votes

"Yes" Votes

3,275,737

99.28%

"No" Votes

23,713

00.72%

 
Single Party Elections
Sole Legal Party: National Movement for a Developing Society (MNSD)

12 December 1989 Presidential Election (Ali Saïbou elected unopposed)

12 December 1989 National Assembly Election (93 Seats)
 
26 December 1992 Constitutional Referendum
Main Points: Multiparty Political System, President serves 5-year term with no limits on re-election

Registered Voters

3,900,881

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

2,207,220 (56.6%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

     40,300

Total Valid Votes

2,166,920

Results

Number of Votes

% of Votes

"Yes" Votes

1,945,653

89.79%

"No" Votes

221,267

10.21%
 
14 February 1993 National Assembly Election

Registered Voters

Not Available

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

Not Available (N/A)

Party/[Coalition]

Number of Seats (83)

Alliance of the Forces for Change [AFC]

50

 

Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama (CDS-Rahama)

  

22

Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya (PNDS-Tarayya)

13

Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya (ANDP-Zaman Lahiya)

11

Niger Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally (PPN-RDA)

02

Union for Democracy and Social Progress-Amana (UDPS-Amana)

01

Niger Social Democratic Party (PSDN-Alheri)

01

National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara (MNSD-Nassara)

29

Union for Democratic Patriots and Progressives-Chamoua (UPDP-Chamoua)

02

Union of Popular Forces for Democracy and Progress-Sawaba (UDFP-Sawaba)

02

*The Alliance of the Forces for Change (AFC) was a coalition formed soon after the election to give opposition a majority of seats in the National Assembly.
 
February/March 1993 Presidential Election
First Round (27 February 1993)

Registered Voters

4,082,076

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

Not Available (approx. 32%)

Second Round (27 March 1993)

Registered Voters

4,069,333

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

1,433,393 (35.2%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

     30,499

Total Valid Votes

1,402,894

Candidate (Party)

First Round

Second Round

Number of Votes

% of Votes

Number of Votes

% of Votes

Mahamane Ousmane (CDS-Rahama)

343,261

26.59%

763,476

54.42%

Mamadou Tandja (MNSD-Nassara)

443,233

34.22%

639,418

45.58%

Mahamadou Issoufou (PNDS-Tarraya)

205,707

15.92%

-

-

Moumouni Adamou Djermakoye
(ANDP-Zaman Lahiya)

196,949

15.24%

-

-

Illa Kané (UPDP-Chamoua)

32,951

2.55%

-

-

Oumarou Garba Issoufou (PPN-RDA)

25,769

1.99%

-

-

Omar Katzelma Taya (PSDN-Alheri)

23,565

1.82%

-

-

Djibo Bakary (UDFP-Sawaba)

21,662

1.68%

-

-

 
12 January 1995 National Assembly Election

Registered Voters

Not Available

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

Not Available (N/A)

Party

Number of Seats (83)

National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara (MNSD-Nassara)

29

Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama (CDS-Rahama)

24

Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya (PNDS-Tarayya)

12

Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya (ANDP-Zaman Lahiya)

09

Union of Popular Forces for Democracy and Progress-Sawaba (UDFP-Sawaba)

03

Union for Democracy and Social Progress-Amana (UDPS-Amana)

02

Niger Social Democratic Party-Alheri (PSDN-Alheri)

02

Niger Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally (PPN-RDA)

01

Union for Democratic Patriots and Progressives-Chamoua (UPDP-Chamoua)

01

 
12 May 1996 Constitutional Referendum
Main Points: Presidential Republic, Multiparty System

Registered Voters

4,400,000 (approx.)

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

1,540,000 (approx. 35%)

Results

% of Votes

"Yes" Votes

92.34%

"No" Votes

07.66%

 
07-08 July 1996 Presidential Election

Registered Voters

3,804,750

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

2,525,019 (66.4%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

   107,830

Total Valid Votes

2,417,189

Candidate (Party)

Number of Votes

% of Votes

Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara

1,262,308

52.22%

Mahamane Ousmane (CDS-Rahama)

477,431

19.75%

Mamadou Tandja (MNSD-Nassara)

378,322

15.65%

Mahamadou Issoufou (PNDS-Tarayya)

183,826

7.60%

Moumouni Amadou Djermakoye (ANDP-Zaman Lahiya)

115,302

4.77%

 
23 November 1996 National Assembly Election

Registered Voters

Not Available

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

Not Available (N/A)

Party

Number of Seats (83)

National Union of Independents for Democratic Renewal (UNIRD)

56

Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya (ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya)

08

Union of Democratic Patriots and Progressives-Chamoua (UPDP-Chamoua)

04

Union for Democracy and Social Progress-Amana (UDPS-Amana)

03

Party for People's Dignity-Daraja (PDP-Daraja)

03

Workers' Movement Party-Albarka (PMT-Albarka)

02

Movement for Democracy and Progress-Alkawali (MDP-Alkawali)

01

Independents

03

Invalidated*

03

*Results for 3 seats were invalidated by the Supreme Court. The National Union of Independents for Democratic Renewal (UNIRD) won all 3 seats in a subsequent by-election.
 
18 July 1999 Constitutional Referendum
Main Points: N/A

Registered Voters

4,237,258

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

1,319,919 (31.2%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

     24,102

Total Valid Votes

1,295,817

Results

Number of Votes

% of Votes

"Yes" Votes

1,161,178

89.61%

"No" Votes

134,639

10.39%

 
October/November 1999 Presidential Election
First Round (17 October 1999)

Registered Voters

4,560,508

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

1,990,370 (43.6%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

     81,129

Total Valid Votes

1,909,241

Second Round (24 November 1999)

Registered Voters

4,608,090

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

1,815,411 (39.4%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

     42,757

Total Valid Votes

1,772,654

Candidate (Party)

First Round

Second Round

Number of Votes

% of Votes

Number of Votes

% of Votes

Mamadou Tandja (MNSD-Nassara)

617,320

32.33%

1,061,731

59.89%

Mahamadou Issoufou (PNDS-Tarayya)

435,041

22.79%

710,923

40.11%

Mahamane Ousmane (CDS-Rahama)

429,827

22.51%

-

-

Hamid Algabid (RDP-Jama'a)

206,763

10.83%

-

-

Moumouni Amadou Djermakoye
(ANDP-Zaman Lahiya)

147,672

7.73%

-

-

André Salifou (UDPD-Chamoua)

39,641

2.08%

-

-

Amadou Ali Djibo (UNI)

32,977

1.73%

-

-

 
24 November 1999 National Assembly Election

Registered Voters

Not Available

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

Not Available (N/A)

Party

Number of Seats (83)

National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara (MNSD-Nassara)

38

Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama (CDS-Rahama)

17

Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya (PNDS-Tarayya)

16

Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama'a (RDP-Jama'a)

08

Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya (ANDP-Zaman Lahiya)

04

 
November/December 2004 Presidential Election
First Round (16 November 2004)

Registered Voters

5,255,232

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

2,535,493 (48.2%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

     97,043

Total Valid Votes

2,438,450

Second Round (04 December 2004)

Registered Voters

5,256,581

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

2,363,692 (45.0%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

     59,390

Total Valid Votes

2,304,302

Candidate (Party)

First Round

Second Round

Number of Votes

% of Votes

Number of Votes

% of Votes

Mamadou Tandja (MNSD-Nassara)

 991,764

40.67%

 1,509,905

 65.53%

Mahamadou Issoufou (PNDS-Tarayya)

 599,792

24.60%

 794,357

 34.47%

Mahamane Ousmane (CDS-Rahama)

 425,052

17.43%

-

-

Amadou Cheiffou (RSD-Gaskiya)

 154,732

6.35%

-

-

Moumouni Amadou Djermakoye
(ANDP-Zaman Lahiya)

 147,957

6.07%

-

-

Hamid Algabid (RDP-Jama'a)

 119,153

4.89%

-

-

 
04 December 2004 National Assembly Election

Registered Voters

5,278,598

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

2,358,213 (44.7%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

     55,019

Total Valid Votes

2,303,194

Party

Number of Votes

% of Votes

Number of Seats (113)

National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara (MNSD-Nassara)

856,924

37.21%

47

Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya (PNDS-Tarayya)  & Allies

488,972

21.23%

25

 

Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya
(PNDS-Tarayya)

(307,914)

(13.37%)

 

17

Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya/Niger Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally/Nigerien Self-Management Party-Al Ouma
(PNDS Tarayya/PPN RDA/PNA Al Ouma)

(61,997)

(2.69%)

04

Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya/Union of Independent Nigeriens/Union for Democracy and the Republic-Tabbat (PNDS Tarayya/UNI/UDR Tabbat)

(76,268)

(3.31%)

02

Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya/Niger Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally
(PNDS Tarayya/PPN RDA)

(42,793)

(1.86%)

02

Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama (CDS-Rahama)

399,737

17.36%

22

Social Democratic Rally-Gaskiya (RSD-Gaskiya)

164,507

7.14%

07

Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama’a (RDP-Jama’a)

150,303

6.53%

06

Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya
(ANDP-Zaman Lahiya)

125,243

5.44%

05

Niger Social Democratic Party-Alheri (PSDN-Alheri)

29,905

1.30%

01

Others

87,603

3.80%

-