NIGER: GOVERNMENT OF NIGER (GON) DISTRIBUTES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 000353 SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USAID/AFR ACCRA PLEASE PASS TO USAID/WA PARIS FOR AF WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV SOCI KDEM NG SUBJECT: NIGER: GOVERNMENT OF NIGER (GON) DISTRIBUTES ELECTION TIMETABLE AND BUDGET REQUIREMENTS TO PARTNERS REF: A. NIAMEY 344 ¶B. NIAMEY 341 AND PREVIOUS NIAMEY 00000353 001.6 OF 002 -------------- ¶1. Summary. -------------- The GON Ministry of Foreign Affairs transmitted to Embassy Niamey via diplomatic note the official timetable and budget requirements for the local, legislative and Presidential elections to be held in the Republic of Niger in calendar year 2009. The diplomatic note specifically requests that Embassy Niamey solicit the relevant U.S. authorities to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in order to organize the local and general elections in 2009. End summary. -------------- - ¶2. Local elections - October 25, 2009 -------------- - The CENI timetable reflects the following: -- July 10, 2009, electoral college convenes -- July 30, 2009, last date to file candidacy for regional office -- Sept 8, 2009, the Constitutional Court is scheduled to issue a decree to declare the list of eligible candidates -- Oct 2, 2009, eligible candidates' list to be released -- Oct 14-23, 2009, ten-day campaign period -- Oct 22-24, 2009, training of personnel/preparation of polling stations -- Oct 25, 2009, local elections day -- Oct 25-30, 2009, local election provisional results tabulated and announced -- Oct 31, 2009, local election provisional results submitted to Constitutional Court for validation -- Dec 30, 2009, final election results announced Total estimated budget for local elections is 10.8 million US dollars (USD),equivalent to 5,419,219,200 FCFA. (Note: Exchange rate of 1 USD = 500 FCFA.) The gist of the requirements is as follows: -- 3.1 million USD - election materials (ballot boxes, envelopes, indelible ink, etc.) -- 3 million USD - electoral documents (printed ballots, electoral code samples, etc.) -- 1.6 million USD - training/sensitization (workers, diffusion of audiovisual messages) -- 1.2 million USD - transportation costs -- 1.5 million USD - supervision and security of ballot boxes -- 210 thousand USD - contingencies -------------- -------------- ¶3. Presidential election - November 14, 2009 first round -------------- -------------- The CENI timetable reflects the following for 1st round: -- May 1-August 1, 2009, delivery of materials and reception of electoral documents -- Sept 15, 2009, electoral college convenes -- Sept 25, 2009, last date to file candidacy for the Presidency -- Sept 30, 2009, candidates' list established and transmitted to Constitutional Court -- Oct2, 2009, eligible candidates' list to be released -- Oct 24-November 12, 2009, 1st round Presidential electoral campaign period -- Nov 14, 2009, 1st round of Presidential election held -- Nov 14-17, 2009, Presidential election provisional results tabulated and announced -- Nov 18, 2009, Presidential election provisional results submitted to Constitutional Court -- Nov 24, 2009, validation and final results of 1st round of Presidential election announced Total estimated budget for 1st round Presidential election is 6 million US dollars (USD). The gist of the requirements is as follows: -- 1.2 million USD - election materials -- 1 million USD - electoral documents -- 950 thousand USD - training/sensitization -- 1.2 million USD - transportation costs -- 1.5 million USD - supervision and security of ballot boxes -- 120 thousand USD - contingencies -------------- -------------- ¶4. Presidential election - December 6, 2009 second round (if NIAMEY 00000353 002.4 OF 002 needed) -------------- -------------- The CENI timetable reflects the following for 2nd round: -- Nov 18-Dec 4, 2009, preparation for 2nd round of Presidential election -- Nov 25-Dec 4, 2009, 2nd round Presidential electoral campaign period -- Dec 6, 2009, 2nd round of Presidential election held -- Dec 6-8, 2009, 2nd round Presidential election results tabulated and announced -- Dec 9, 2009, 2nd round results transmitted to the Constitutional Court for validation -- Dec 15, 2009, Constitutional Court announces the final Presidential election results -- Dec 22, 2009, inauguration of President-elect Total estimated budget for 2nd round Presidential election is 3.6 million US dollars (USD). The gist of the requirements are as follows: -- 740 thousand USD - election materials -- 40 thousand USD - training/sensitization -- 1.2 million USD - transportation costs -- 1.5 million USD - supervision and security of ballot boxes -- 70 thousand USD - contingencies -------------- ¶5. November 28, 2009, legislative election -------------- The CENI timetable reflects the following: -- Sep 29, 2009, electoral college convenes -- Oct 14, 2009, last date to file candidacy for legislative office -- Oct 15, 2009, transmission of candidates' portfolios to the Constitutional Court -- Oct 16-31, 2009, eligible candidates' list to be released -- Nov 6-26, 2009, legislative candidates' campaign period -- Nov 26-27, 2009, training of personnel/preparation of polling stations -- Nov 28, 2009, voting on legislative elections held one day only -- Nov 28-Dec 1, 2009, legislative election provisional results tabulated and announced -- Dec 2, 2009, legislative election provisional results submitted to Constitutional Court -- Dec 2-14, 2009, final election results validated and announced by the Constitutional Court Total estimated budget for legislative elections is 4.3 million US dollars (USD). The gist of the requirements is as follows: -- 700 thousand USD - election materials -- 800 thousand USD - training/sensitization -- 1.2 million USD - transportation costs -- 1.5 million USD - supervision and security of ballot boxes -- 86 thousand USD - contingencies -------------- UNDP Marshalling Donor Partner Support -------------- ¶6. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the overall coordinator of donor partner support and a common trust fund for the upcoming elections. UNDP Representative (also the United Nations System Coordinator in Niger) has invited donor partners to a meeting on May 20 to discuss donor support and election timetable. Stayed tuned for results of that meeting and other election-related developments. ALLEN