Polls opened yesterday in Niger’s presidential election that is expected to see the country’s first democratic power transfer since independence from France amid Islamist violence.
Former Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum, the ruling party’s candidate, is the overwhelming favorite to succeed President Mahamadou Issoufou, who is stepping down after two five-year terms.
The West African country has seen four coups since achieving independence from France in 1960.
Bazoum, 60, has promised continuity with Issoufou’s policies, while also vowing to clean up pervasive corruption.
“If I am lucky enough to win this election, you will have chosen someone who is ready from day one,” he said in a campaign video. Bazoum faces 29 other candidates, who will hope to force a second round by denying him an outright majority of the vote.
Other prominent hopefuls include two former heads of state, Mahamane Ousmane, 70, and Salou Djibo, 55.
In November, the Constitutional Court declared the main opposition candidate Hama Amadou “ineligible” to run in the election.
It is understood judges disqualified him on the grounds that in 2017 he was handed a 12-month term for alleged baby trafficking — a charge he says was bogus.
Niger’s electoral code bars citizens convicted of crimes with prison sentences of one year or more from running for president
A total of 7.4 million registered voters will also cast their ballots to choose who will represent them in the country’s 171-seat National Assembly.
Whoever takes over as president will face a major challenge of protecting the country’s security from further jihadi attacks.
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